Interview with Richard Serra
Reading Discussion Questions:
1. What were Richard Serra's goals for the installation?
Serra wanted to create a space with a noticeable sculptural presence. He was mindful of the scale and proportions of his installation so as not to create a series of objects but rather a series of elements. He wanted to create a stunning and correct visual field with his sculpture by defining space and not allowing the Duveen Galleries to define his sculpture.
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"?
Richard Serra is speaking of a visual field created by the sculpture itself. This is why he must be mindful of the tension within that field. He notes that as one walks through the gallery their position should change within that field; this alludes to the overall presence of the installation. If the installation is to dominate to the point of providing a reference able change to the viewer then the shape and grandeur of the sculpture must be well defined.
3. How do the columns, pedestal condition, octagonal space and vertical axis challenge Serra?
In creating a rhythm amongst the elements of his installation, Serra had to work around the preset structural surroundings of the museum. The columns had their own sculptural presence Serra had to work around, the pedestals created a visual field higher than that of the ground plane and the octagonal space had a defined center of gravity due to its self-referential nature. In dealing with these he began to incorporate the rectangle to provide a balance. The vertical axis which changed with the ceiling elevation also called for a particular attention to be paid to the installation's scale and height proportions.
4. What is effective in terms of the shape, scale and number of the two square elements in the Duveen Galleries?
After dwelling on the options for the space, Serra found the Octagon to be too self-referential. He found the circle to mimic the columns already in place and the curve to be far too post-modern in such a way that it created an external condition in the space. Serra settled on the rectangle because it provided a definition of the space and a much needed sense of directionality. Serra also decided the sculptural installation needed to be full scale in order to define physical movement by confronting scaled relationships up-front. The number of elements, being two, was chosen because it did not posses a quality of repetition.
5. Describe the differences and similarities between Barnett Newman's and Richard Serra's work.
Newman's work is often referential to art or a known work/structure. Serra has a limitless conceptualization in his installations which know no reference. Serra's full scale works define architectural space and Newman's often will define more of a memory space. However, both men do pay close attention to the sculptural presence and how their works begin to create a body orientation in space.
