Oct 292011
Mission Bay
Ballast by Richard SerraCorten Steel
One of my absolute favorite mediums for massive outdoor sculpture is Corten Steel. Weathering steel, best-known under the trademark COR-TEN steel and sometimes written without the hyphen as “Corten steel”, is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance if exposed to the weather for several years. “Weathering” means that due to their chemical compositions, these steels exhibit increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels. This is because the steel forms a protective layer on its surface under the influence of the weather.
The corrosion-retarding effect of the protective layer is produced by the particular distribution and concentration of alloying elements in it. The layer protecting the surface develops and regenerates continuously when subjected to the influence of the weather. In other words, the steel is allowed to rust in order to form the ‘protective’ coating.
These massive slabs will change with the time, not so that one would notice, but gradually and beautifully like a fine wine.
San Francisco native Richard Serra lives and works in New York City and Nova Scotia. One of the foremost artists of his time, Serra has redefined the idea of sculpture since the 1960s, making the experience of place, time, and movement essential to his work. For Serra, the art is not as much about the objects themselves as it is about the individual experience of the viewer in relation to the whole context, measured and defined by his massive interventions.
Installed in the UCSF campus east plaza in March 2005, Ballast consists of two plates of corten steel that appear to cut into the surrounding plaza, each measures 49’2″ by 14’9″ and weighs 70 tons. The steel plates are located at equal distances from the ends of the space and from each other, dividing the plaza lengthwise into three equal intervals. Each tilts 18″ sideways, in opposite directions. The scale, weight, placement, and in my opinion, especially the angle, of the steel plates define the whole plaza.
Just beautiful – I’m a new fan of corten steel. Your photos are such a tribute to the artists – thanks for sharing.
I love Serra’s work and I love corten steel especially on buildings – it is so warm and tactile! 49′ !!
Interesting display… love the close up of the texture and color.
Interesting art form and concept. It develops naturally over time.
You weren’t fooling. These really are massive steel sculptures. The last shot is awesome with all of its detail. Nice perspective on the shots, too. Sculpture gardens are always one of my favorite places to visit. Nice post. genie
Can’t say I’m a fan of big rusting slabs, but that up-close shot is really cool.
Very beautiful.
I think this just may be my favorite sculpture that you have blogged about…Love its form and that material too! That last photo shows such amazing texture. Beautiful!
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