Fulcrum is a 55 foot tall tower of steel built in England. The sculpture is made up of 5 steel plates that lean against each other and counter their weight. The sculpture was constructed in 1987 and was met with mixed reviews. Lots of people opposed it as it was built in a busy part of town and is very large.
Fulcrum creates the feel of a falling upwards through a tube of steel to the light at the top. As opposed to most of Serra's work, this sculpture is a vertical experience as opposed to horizontal. Fulcrum sends steel up in the air with a small footprint while pieces like 'Joe' have a large footprint by are not tall.
Fulcrum reminds me of a rock formation. This is because it is very jagged and ridged, as opposed to smooth and fluid. This is my favorite piece by Serra because there is an element of excitement, even danger, with the structure climbing 55 feet into the sky.
Sources:
http://www.demec.ufmg.br/port/d_online/diario/Ema101/AnalisePCriativo/SobreObraDe/RichardSerra/Fotos/Fulcrum.jpg
http://www.commentart.com/publicarts/Fulcrum
When first observed you wonder if it is the detritus of a building site. The most offensive aspect of 'progressive' architects is the occasional access they have to our public spaces. As for the brutalist concrete horrors which depress council estate residents nation-wide, the 'fulcrum' is what it is. A jumbled mess of rusting metal. I feel utterly depressed every time I see it-it is an urban, septic carbuncle.
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