Sculpture Center Reaction

The interaction between art and space plays a significant role in an exhibition.  The Sculpture Center in Long Island City is an industrial building that currently exhibits "Bill Bollinger: The Retrospective." The installation, which was a former trolley repair shop, seems to be the perfect place to arrange and show some sculptures made of  industrial supplies. Moreover, there is an  harmony within the space and the artwork, so the outcome of this rare installation is reinforced.

The sculpture "Cyclone Fence" was located in the building's first floor. This large aluminium wire mesh was arranged with a particular shape that challenged gravity and resistance. It considered the dimensions of the space where was exposed because the sculpture interacted in accordance whit the architectural materials of the building, where high ceilings, glass, metal columns and cement floors created a balance between the sculpture and its surroundings. All those elements made the fence to be appreciated as an original sculpture in its natural space. The industrial building and the rough materials of the sculpture, created a positive environment for the installation.

Another artwork  located on the main floor of this interesting venue was "Graphite Piece," in which this carbon derived mineral covered most part of the floor's room. This material is generally used for drawing on paper, but the artist challenged the use of  this dry media, and created a piece that had a correlation with some of his works on paper. As paper holds media, this cement-grained floor held a great amount of graphite creating this dark shade. However, material and space were the concepts of this artwork that were enhanced by the atmosphere of the specific place, and which had a realistic view of how the trolley repair shop could have look when it was active.

On the other hand, "Oil Drum" was presented on the basement of the building. An oxidized drum filled up with water was arranged in one of the isolated rooms downstairs. The room was reduced, the air felt humid and dense, and lights were low. The atmosphere of the wet- cemented space, the rustic look of the bricks and the stares did have a significant influence in the artwork, as well the artwork did have a sense of belonging to that particular space.

To sum up, because of its architecture, dimensions of the space and arrangements of the artworks, this venue was the perfect place to exhibit Bill Bollinger sculptures, so the installation was enhanced by the atmosphere of the ex-trolley repair shop.

Bill Bollinger
"Cyclone fence"
1968

Bill Bollinger
"Graphite Piece"
Graphite powder
1969

Bill Bollinger
"Oil Drum"
Oil drum, water
1968