Made by Richard Serra, a minimalist artist, and it shows. Situated about a block east of the east entrance to The Art Institute. On the south side of Monroe. And on the day I was there, in a rather bleak, barren landscape, which may be what the artist intended.
When I came upon these it was like "what the?" If this is art, for once it totally escapes me. But then I am no fan of minimalism. And I would dearly like to know if this form of art will still be around in 100 years or so.
Artner - "The greatest living sculptor in the United States contributes two arcs of steel perfectly conceived in relation to the human body [?] and cannily set in a blunt, dramatic relationship with land and sky."
Honestly, Mr. Artner would have to stand with me in front of those two pieces and explain all that, for I have no clue what he means. Yes, I can see that they are two arcs, but that's about all. Maaaybe a blunt dramatic relationship with land and sky, but human body? How? I simply cannot see it.
The steel is horribly rusted, and I'm not in love with rusted steel either. Although one site I did read says it is very difficult to bend steel into those shapes and at least the art should be appreciated for this technical skill. No. If a cook knows all about the ways of cooking and expertly fixes a meal that tastes terrible, I'm supposed to appreciate the art of cooking it. I think not. A filmmaker may know all about lighting, and photography, and editing, and have assembled a great cast, but if he cannot direct a story that involves us, what's the point?
And although I roamed all around the site, I could find not hide nor hair of any plaque or sign attributing this to Mr. Serra.
The reason it is called "Reading Cones" is because the steel was forged in Reading, Pennsylvania.
