A Shift in the Stream 1997

Maya Lin’s “A Shift in the Stream” presents us with a stark horizon line, a kind of crack rendered in dark stone against a cool white wall. Lin came of age during the rise of the environmental movement, which led to her interest in mapping and topology. As an Asian American woman, Lin has spoken of finding refuge in the landscape, a space that transcends cultural boundaries. Here, she creates a work that explores the ways we conceptualize and interact with our environment. The simplicity and precision of the line invites contemplation, almost meditation. It echoes the minimalism of the 1960s, yet Lin roots her work in the recovery of lost or forgotten histories. Consider the emotional weight of a line that represents both division and connection, a shift both in geological terms and in our consciousness. It's a call to recognize the dynamic and delicate balance between humanity and nature.