Guy Lelong's Study of Daniel Buren: A Critical Review

Guy Lelong's book on Daniel Buren, published by Flammarion, draws an audacious parallel between Buren's inversion of the relationship between visual arts and their presentation sites and Mallarmé's inversion of poetry and meaning. The central vector of Buren's work is the in situ creation, where the artwork interacts with its specific location in a reciprocal exchange of symbolic power. Lelong's study delves into Buren's use of colored fabric strips in relation to ready-mades, the concept of the 'visual tool,' and the 'reflected site.' The text is supported by numerous quotes from Buren and detailed descriptions of his works. However, the review criticizes the book for being overly protective of Buren, dismissing critiques like Arthur Danto's, and for sidelining the political dimension of Buren's work, particularly his engagement with art in public spaces. The focus on form, color, and plastic arrangement dilutes the cardinal political issues. The review suggests that this omission may drive readers to Buren's own writings on the subject.