Born: September 16, 1935, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality: American
Style: Minimalism, Sculpture
Influences: Brancusi, Constructivism, industrial materials
"My art is about place, and my sculptures are places."
Notable Artwork
144 Magnesium Square (1969)
About Carl Andre
Born: September 16, 1935, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA Nationality: American Style: Minimalism, Sculpture Influences: Brancusi, Constructivism, industrial materials Major Exhibitions: “Equivalent VIII” (1966), “144 Magnesium Square” (1969) Quote: “My art is about place, and my sculptures are places.”
Notable Artwork: 144 Magnesium Square (1969)
This work consists of 144 identical square magnesium plates arranged in a grid on the floor. The work is meant to be walked on, emphasizing its physical presence and its relationship to the viewer’s body.
Significance
Andre’s floor pieces are radical examples of Minimalist sculpture. They eliminate the pedestal, bringing the artwork down to the level of the viewer. They emphasize the materiality of the work and its interaction with the surrounding space. They challenge traditional notions of sculpture as something to be viewed from a distance.