Systems art

Loosely describes a group of radical artists working in the late 1960s early 1970s who reacted against art’s traditional focus on the object with the aim of making their art more responsive to the world around them

Vito Acconci, ‘Room Situation’ 1970 — Vito Acconci
*Room Situation* 1970
Tate
© Vito Acconci

Marcel Broodthaers, ‘Paintings’ 1973 — Marcel Broodthaers
*Paintings* 1973
Tate
© DACS, 2021

Richard Long, ‘A Line Made by Walking’ 1967 — Richard Long
*A Line Made by Walking* 1967
ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland
© Richard Long

Building on the structures of minimal art and conceptual art, the artists adopted experimental aesthetic systems across a variety of media including photography, dance, performance, painting, installation, video and film as a more effective means to connect with the political developments of the decade.

Examples of systems art include Richard Long who imposed rigid structures to his walks across the landscape.

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Systems art

Sign up to emails