Review of exhibition

'THE MAN OF STEEL AT THE GAGOSIAN GALLERY'

Born in 1939 in San Francisco, Richard Serra is widely considered to be one of the most significant artists of his generation. His innovative sculpture focuses on the relationship between artwork, site and viewer through his unique large-scale constructions, adaptable to architectural, urban and landscape settings. 

Starting as an abstract artist, Serra is better known for his minimalist creations made from large rolls and sheets of metal. His work is designed to endure through time and process different stages of metamorphosis, to a striking result. For the first time in 16 years Richard Serra has again joined with gallery owner Larry Gagosian, to exhibit his giant steel creations in London.

The show at Kings’ Cross’s Gagosian Gallery, took two years of planning and preparations before it was possible to allow the public to wonder around and through the immense steel sculptures.

Three large rooms house the three heavy weight constructions. The first room contains “TTI London”, a duo of giant rusted steel funnels with openings that allow the viewer to interact with the space and contemplate the internal/external qualities of the piece, which was created specifically for the city of London. The thick curved walls enclose the space within, leading into a powerful sensorial experience, which is added to, by the intense orange colour and texture created by the oxidation process. 

The second room, just next door, holds “Open Ended” (2007-8), a gigantic, characteristic grey-black labyrinth which gives the viewer the sensation of losing oneself into the core of Serra’s art. The sharp angular features of Open Ended are disorientating and reminiscent of early German Expressionist films, such as “The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari” (1920). Walking through the maze-like piece creates a state of suspense, generated by the increasing denseness of the narrow pathway.

The final room presents “Fernando Pessoa” (2007-8), named after Fernando Antonio Nogueira Pessoa, a Potuguese poet and writer. Unlike the other sculptures, this piece is a solid, linear block of steel, characterized by its unique and distinctive surface. Although Minimalist the strength of its presence almost splits the room in two, focusing the viewer’s attention on to the rhythmic and hypnotic forms created by the early oxidation process.

In a recent interview Serra declared:

“…Certain things stick into your core, they stick into your imagination and you have a need to come to terms with them…” 

“…Asking fundamental questions about what you don’t understand has always interested me…”

Richard Serra has been acknowledged by the Art world as one of the most innovative sculptors of our time.

With this exhibition he celebrates the beauty of the materials, within their timeless character, and the monumental presence of his creations.

 

(Photo on the top left side)

“Open Ended” (2007-8)

Richard Serra at Gagosian Gallery, London

October 4 – December 20, 2008 

Cristiana Canzanese

Carys Lloyd