In Culture

“I think as you grow as a craftsman, as an artist, your gestures become stronger. Your conviction becomes stronger. You can actually get to a place where you can make an impact with a very minimal thing,” says Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in New York City. In this episode of Variations on a theme, host Dessane Lopez Cassell speaks to the acclaimed chef about the intersection of minimalist art and fine dining. We also learn how Humm finds inspiration in Sol LeWitt’s systems and repetition — making the empty plate an opportunity to tell a unique story.For more information about Microsoft's In Culture podcast and to read the transcript, please visit: microsoft.com/inculture/podcast

“We had to find what's that essential detail that really defines that garment as what it is and keep that, and all the other elements we were able to kind of strip away,” Jack McCollough says of the influence of Sol LeWitt’s approach to minimalism. In this episode of Variations on a theme, host Dessane Lopez Cassell speaks to the designer and his partner Lazaro Hernandez, of fashion brand Proenza Schouler, about how they distill each garment down to its essence—and discard the rest.For more information about Microsoft's In Culture podcast and to read the transcript, please visit: microsoft.com/inculture/podcast

“So many things can influence how the songs will just shift a little bit in each place, and I found that really interesting when I read that about his philosophy behind his wall drawings,” Julianna Barwick says of the influence of Sol LeWitt’s artistic process. In this episode of Variations on a theme, host Dessane Lopez Cassell speaks to the composer and performer about how she creates a choir of one — “loop by loop by loop, and shape by shape by shape.” We also take a closer look at the relationship between conceptual art and experimental music.For more information about Microsoft's In Culture podcast and to read the transcript, please visit: microsoft.com/inculture/podcast

“A lot of people think that I was influenced to do conceptual art by looking at conceptual art, and that really wasn't the case. It was really a search for a certain sort of understanding of the self,” Charles Gaines says of his creative process. In this episode of Variations on a theme, host Dessane Lopez Cassell speaks to the pioneering visual artist about his radical approach to using systems and formulas as a critical language. We also learn how Gaines builds on Sol LeWitt’s foundations to tackle social constructs like racism and segregation.For more information about Microsoft's In Culture podcast and to read the transcript, please visit: microsoft.com/inculture/podcast

In a new podcast series, Variations on a theme, we explore the life and legacy of Sol LeWitt with host Dessane Lopez Cassell.  Meet some of the creative pioneers channeling his influence and pushing it forward in their own work. For more information about Microsoft's In Culture podcast and to read the transcript, please visit: microsoft.com/inculture/podcast