Stairs (These Stairs Can Be Climbed) 1974

Alice Aycock's 1974 minimalist sculpture, "Stairs (These Stairs Can Be Climbed)," presents a seemingly ordinary staircase in a stark white gallery space, creating an intriguing tension between the functional object and its conceptual context. The work's title ironically emphasizes the impossibility of climbing the stairs, as the artwork itself is not designed for human use. The simplicity of the wood construction and the absence of any decorative elements underscores the focus on the inherent form and function of the object, inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of perception, space, and architecture.