Walter de Maria

The Lightning Field(1977), by the American sculptor Walter De Maria, is recognized internationally as one of the late-twentieth century's most profound works of American art. The piece is located in a remote and rugged area of southwestern New Mexico's high desert and is composed of 400 stainless steel poles installed in a grid measuring one mile (east-west) by one kilometer (north-south). The poles average some twenty feet in height and are installed so that the tops form a level plane, which, according to De Maria, could theoretically "support an imaginary sheet of glass."
Art critic Kenneth Baker began his encounter withThe Lightning Fieldin 1978, shortly after its completion, when he was commissioned by Dia Art Foundation (which owns and maintains the work) to write a study of it. The resulting essay--the shorter of two Baker essays that comprise the text of this book--is descriptive and reflective and acclaimsThe Lightning Fieldas "the closest thing to a masterpiece to come out of minimalism." Together these writings offer a uniquely personal and probing assessment of this major work of art. Dia Art Foundation curator Lynne Cooke has contributed the introduction, which placesThe Lightning Fieldin its art historical context. Beautifully illustrated with fifteen color photographs and ten black-and-white images, the book also includes a statement by the artist.