In the world of public art and architecture, the designer will often have to incorporate the natural changes of metal in the design process. When considering what type of product to use, whether it is carbon or stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, or some other material, the designer will have to take into account the duration and life of the piece.
One famous local sculpture is Chicago’s Picasso sculpture located in the Daley Plaza. Having become an integral symbol of the city, it has been on display for nearly 50 years at this point. The piece was constructed from COR-TEN steel which is not uncommon in sculptures exposed to the elements. COR-TEN is a material which works well when exposed to rolling, and produces an even, dark patina of rust over time.
Another artist known for minimalist sculptures using COR-TEN steel is Richard Serra. He has several large scale works on display in Europe such as “The Matter of Time” which features 14-foot high curling walls of COR-TEN steel located inside the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. As well, he was the artist behind the infamously famous “Tilted Arc” which was a solid, unfinished plate of COR-TEN, 120 feet x 12 feet x 2.5 inches thick gently curved and, as the name suggests, tilted. Controversy arose in 1981 after the piece was placed in the midst of the Federal Plaza in New York City, as the placement caused an obstruction to many who frequented the location and might cross through the center. After much litigation, the piece was eventually removed with objections from the artist who claimed the work was site-specific, and thus, taking it from the location would destroy the work. It redefined the space, and that was part of the spirit of the design. Currently, it resides in a storage facility in Maryland after being disassembled, likely to never see the light of day again.
Speaking of the Guggenheim Museum which houses Serra’s “The Matter of Time”, the structure itself is one which incorporates the natural effects of curved steel. Renowned architect, Frank Gehry’s design for the building incorporates the natural cladding and oil-canning effect of the sheet metal used in the exterior.
Works that might be considered imperfections to other designers, end up a natural feature in the eyes of others. With that in mind, some beautiful, moving, and monumental structures frequently keep in mind the natural effects of the steel they use to highlight the curves.
