COLD CASE FILE #3

Richard Serra, Titled Arc
Location: 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY, USA (40.715021,-74.003145)
Time or Duration: 1981 – 1989

CRIME REPORT:
Richard Serra was accused of impeding pedestrian maneuverability when he installed Tilted Arc—a 3.66m x 36.6m steel sculpture—at Federal Plaza in Foley Square, New York City. Serra’s motive: to instigate challenging social and political readings of the space. The object created a dialogue about the use, function, and ideological character of the plaza. In 1985, hearings began concerning the numerous public complaints registered in response to the sculpture. Many hoped that it would be removed. Miwon Kwon described criticism from the immediate public of Tilted Arc: Serra inappropriately asserted his private self on public grounds. Tilted Arc was finally removed in 1989. Post-judgment, those who frequented Foley Square felt as if they had reclaimed their communal space; art historians accused the community of destroying public property. The debate continues.

DOCUMENTATION:
[CRIME SCENE] | [PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE]