Walter de Maria - "The 2000 Sculpture"

The 2000 Sculpture (1992) by Walter de Maria is one of the largest floor sculptures in the world. It belongs to a series of works in which the artist constantly grouped new elements in specific arrangements. The work consists of 2000 plaster pieces, each 50 cm long and 18 cm high. Despite their uniform size, the individual elements vary in shape and have five, seven or nine edges. They are laid out on an area of 500 square metres (10 x 50 m) in 20 rows of 100 plaster pieces each. The arrangement of the plaster elements follows a clear rhythm based on the number of edges: 5-7-9-7-5-5-7-9-7-5. In addition to light and space, time is also a formative factor in the reception of the work: the different views of The 2000 Sculpture and their rows and intersections only become apparent to the viewer as they walk across the field.