Pathway With Section Cut

Weight and Measure Reading by Richard Serra

1. He let the space maintain its boundaries as well as wanted to deal with volume, mass, space, and directionality of the space the two elements create a manifestation of space. it also allows experiential awareness of yourself and the space.

2. The field is the space around the elements and how they relate to it. Serra does not want too much space or too little space. The "experience of presence" is something that is had by the viewer and how they take in and deal with the spaces and objects around them.

3. The octagonal space is a center piece which is also self referential that contains a center of gravity. the pedestal condition creates a focal point for the octagonal space. The columns and vertical axis challenge him because they could take away from the elements if they are not scaled correctly. Both horizontal and vertical axis were a challenge because Serra wanted to create a pure space for the two elements and he had to deal with the space around them.

4. Because Serra wanted to create a sort of pure space he had to deal with physical space in the galleries. The scale of the elements created a fine proportion left around and by them. The rectangular shape read as more of a contextual external condition of space. it also worked well with the room and directionality of it all. The number 2 starts to create a series, and anymore would have taken away from the elements present in the space. It would also show a greater emphasis on the elements as objects rather than space that is taken up.

5. Similarities between the two would be a memory space in terms of a sequence as well as emphasizing the vertical plane which allows both to embody the direction in a space. Newman's zip painting achieved the same thing Serra's achieved spatially. The differences can be see that Newman Used vertical to horizontal to create a bilateral relationship where as Serra utilized both horizontal and vertical in the same manner not going from one to the other.

Book Sections

Theme: Axis That Reach/ Paths That Wander

Compositions: Rooms That Define/ Space That Leaks Up Into The Light

Rooms, Intersections, and Circulation Diagrams

Experience and Memory Map