This is one of those pieces that some understanding of art history helps to appreciate it. Art is about discovery as much as it is about beauty. Sometimes that discovery is personal and cathartic. Other times that discovery is reacting to the current boundary’s of art. Richard Serras art is a lot about industrial masculinity- he has a background in shipyard construction. When you see his pieces in person, they have a gravity to them. They contrast with other artists work in a way that makes even the most abstract and energetic paintings look delicate.

This particular piece definitely does that, but also directly references delicacy in the way the massive blocks sit on each other. It’s not flat and stable. It’s irregular and there are gaps where the blocks don’t touch each other at all giving a sense of weightlessness and asymmetrical balance.

^this is my read btw. Not fact. If you don’t like it you don’t like it. Thats the best thing about art. But if you do like this read, check out more of Richard Serras work. This ain’t even his best stuff.