Corner Beam 1964

Robert Morris, a key figure in the Minimalist movement, created this "Corner Beam" to challenge our perceptions of space and form. Minimalism emerged in the 1960s, questioning traditional art values. Here, Morris disrupts the gallery space, drawing attention to the architecture itself. We are confronted with the simple geometric form of the beam in relation to the corner where two walls meet. Morris once said that he was interested in the "object quality" of sculpture. The Beam is devoid of color, texture, and detail. It refuses to be anything other than exactly what it is - a beam. This work embodies a radical rethinking of art. "Corner Beam" invites us to consider the space around it. It's about the viewers' embodied experience, their relationship to the built environment, and the way the work alters their sense of place.