Broken Kilometer 1979

Walter De Maria made *Broken Kilometer* as an ongoing installation, using hundreds of solid brass rods. The rods are so carefully arranged and measured, laid out in a grid that it almost feels like a drawing in space, or a landscape flattened out, but stood on its end. The brass is so tactile, like golden, buttery sticks. The way that light catches the metal, its warmth makes the whole room feel illuminated. I keep thinking about repetition, and seriality. De Maria feels very connected to Sol LeWitt, and even Agnes Martin, who also explored grids and the idea of infinite extension. Yet, the thing that's also really lovely about this is that it's handmade, and it's material. It's not a copy, or a print. It's a real, actual thing, that’s so physical, and present. Art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers and invites you to lean in closer.