I had the pleasure of meeting photographer Pascal Perich this morning and as we were looking through his portfolio he told me Richard Serra’s instructions for viewing one of his sculptures:
First, you stand about ten feet away, and walk the entire perimeter.
Then, you stand very close and walk the perimeter again.
Finally, you enter the sculpture and walk through the interior.
He said, “What you feel outside is different than what you feel inside. You’re supposed to be confused, and have no point of reference between the outside and the inside.”
I think it’s time for another visit to Dia:Beacon so I can follow Serra’s own instructions for viewing his work.