Memory Grid with Section Cut

Richard Serra Q&A

1.    What were Richard Serra's goals for the installation?

Serra’s goals were to “redirect how one thinks about the architecture.”  The major issues     were things like the overpowering Slacker Octagon and the colossal columns in it.

2.    Define the field Serra is referring to when he states that his sculptural elements need to create "enough tension within the field to hold the experience of presence in the place". How do you define "experience of presence"?

He’s talking about the scale that the sculptural element’s presence should create. For example, once you become aware of the columns presence you experience the vertical and horizontal scale of the Slacker Octagon.  “Experience of presence” is almost self defining, the presence of sculptural elements create an experience of scale.

3.    How do the columns, pedestal condition, octagonal space and vertical axis challenge Serra?

All of these elements where obstacles for Serra because of their major dominance.  He had to figure out a way to take away attention from these overblown elements but while working with them.

4.    What is effective in terms of the shape, scale and number of the two square elements in the Duveen Galleries?

The shape of squares worked well with a rectangular room and gave a parallel perspective. The scale made the “elements massive enough to be understood as volumes in relationship to the volume of the space.”  The number of two squares was enough, anymore would have caused repetition.

5.    Describe the differences and similarities between Barnett Newman's and Richard Serra's work.

The main difference between Newman’s and Serra’s work is the experience created by their sculptures.  To Serra, Newman’s sculptures lack interest and fail in collecting space.  They both share the same way of distillation without reduction though.

Book Sections

Theme: Axes That Reach/ Paths That Wander

Composition: Rooms That Define/ Space That Leaks Up Into The Light

Model Diagrams