Untitled 1997

Robert Grosvenor created this untitled assemblage from humble materials like fieldstone, steel, and colored glass, and then juxtaposed them unexpectedly. The dry-laid stone wall, built with techniques as old as civilization itself, grounds the work in a sense of brute physicality. The wall displays a high level of skill and labor-intensive handwork. The stones themselves might have been sourced locally, reflecting a direct engagement with the landscape. We see traditional ways of working are embedded in it. Then comes the linear metal piece, seemingly mass-produced, piercing the wall’s rough texture. Finally, the glass orbs add a touch of whimsy and color, disrupting the industrial character of the steel. The contrast between these materials is stark, playing with ideas of value and context. Is this high art, or something else? Grosvenor asks us to reconsider our assumptions and appreciate the inherent qualities of each element.