The subject matter of a work of art does not necessarily speak for itself. Coinciding with the unconventional practices of Zero, Minimal art emerged in the United States in the 1960s. And the Minimalism movement spread over Europe as well. Minimalists eliminated subjectivity and illusions from their works, based on a belief that art is reality in itself, instead of being a means of expression. In order to achieve anonymity, industrial materials were often incorporated in their works. Particularly notable is that great importance is placed on the relationship between objects and spaces. If minimal art is to be defined as art that exists as objects, Conceptual art that prevailed in the late 1960s can be defined as art that attaches paramount importance to concept. Considering artists’ thinking as works of art, Conceptualists avoided the use of materials as much as possible, and created their works with immaterial elements, such as letters and symbols. Works from these movements may appear especially difficult to understand. Yet, subject matter will be discovered as we observe, contemplating the relationship between objects and spaces, and between concepts and objects. Artists: Daniel Buren, Andre Cadere, Joseph Kosuth, Charlotte Posenenske, Robert Ryman and more Charlotte Posenenske《Eight Reliefs from Series C》1967 photos: DaimlerChrysler Art Collection