USA
* Nov. 02, 1938 San Francisco (CA)
† March 26, 2024 Orient (NY)
Richard Serra was known for his large-scale abstract compositions made of monumental steel plates, which he created – usually as commissioned works – for specific places or cities. The perception of his sculptures depends on the viewer’s point of view and changes with every step. Serra was also interested in the topology of the landscape and how one can relate to it through movement, space and time. As a result, many of his sculptures outside of cities blend into the landscape.
Serra’s works have repeatedly led to heated discussions, for example in Bochum when the work “Terminal”, 12 meters high and weighing a total of 100 tons, was erected in front of the main train station. For the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, he built a walk-in installation made of seven huge steel sculptures, which, at a good 1000 tons, is probably the heaviest commissioned work in a museum building. Most of his works in public spaces are located in Germany.