Five Plates, Two Poles 1971

"Five Plates, Two Poles" (1971) is a monumental Minimalist sculpture by Richard Serra, created from five large, rusted steel plates supported by two steel poles. The plates stand upright, some leaning against others, while one lies on the ground. The work's raw, industrial materials and imposing scale challenge traditional notions of sculpture, focusing instead on the interaction of form, space, and materiality. Serra's use of unadorned steel emphasizes the material itself, highlighting its weight and presence in the space.