74 WEATHERING WAY

2001

Carl Andre

This artwork consists of 74 steel plates that Carl Andre laid in a long strip on the ground. You are encouraged to walk across the work. The usual distance between viewer and sculpture disappears. Here there is no pedestal or defined space, but rather the opportunity to experience the sculpture physically and up close. Originally, all the plates were identical, but exposure to the elements and visitors walking across the plates have created visible differences with the passage of time.

The image shows a narrow, unpaved path running through a forest, lined with trees bare of leaves, indicating autumn or winter. The ground is covered with a thick layer of orange-brown autumn leaves. In the middle of the path lies an elongated, rectangular artwork, made of light, flat panels. The artwork is covered with scattered leaves, similar to the surrounding ground. In the background, a light-colored building is visible on the left, and the sun shines through the trees, creating a slight haze and shadows on the path.

Details

Plan number: B44
Zone: Motion
Title: 74 WEATHERING WAY
Creator: Carl Andre
Date: 2001
Material: steel
Acquisition: purchase
Object number: MID.B.494.A

The title “Weathering Way” refers to the dynamics of decay in this artwork: the artist has exposed the material to water and air, causing the iron to rust. Normally, museums try to preserve artworks for eternity, but Andre has created a work that focuses on mutability.

The American sculptor Carl Andre was one of the pioneers of Minimal Art in the early 1960s. For him, sculptures are “just objects”: they have no meaning, tell no story. Andre makes his sculptures out of industrial materials and often places them on the floor in geometric compositions. In this way, the viewer can experience the environment differently.

This artwork on the map

Easily navigate to 74 WEATHERING WAY by Carl Andre and add it to your planned route.