Storm King Art Center

Just around the corner from West Point, NY, is the Storm King Art Center - a 500-acre outdoor museum dedicated to large-scale sculpture. Currently there are about 100 pieces scattered over the grounds, presenting new sights at every bend.

The landscape is an integral part of the presentation. In the foreground is "Adonai" by Alexander Liberman. In the background is "The Arch" by Alexander Calder.

Meadows of native vegetation mix with the art. The red sculpture in the background is "Mother Peace" by Mark di Suvero.

Lava flows? Dripping candles? Monsters? This fountain, "North South East West" by Lynda Benglis, (only half is shown) is near the Museum Building on top of Museum Hill.

Also on Museum Hill are these two sculptures by Ursula von Rydingsvard, "Luba" (left) and "For Paul" (right). They are made from blocks of cedar wood.

"Free Ride Home" by Kenneth Snelson is anchored at only three points, with the aluminum tubes and cables creating a system of internal structural tension, dubbed "tensegrity".

"The Crisis" by Rashid Johnson is a short-term exhibition through November 8, 2021.

One of four parts of "Waiting for UFO" by Nam June Paik has three Buddhas and televisions tipping on their side. The other three parts are found nearby, but are clearly distinct groups.

"Eyes" by Louise Bourgeois has four eyes on each side of the piece. They light up at night.

Some pieces are all about perspective. When we first encountered "Endless Column" by Tal Streeter, we saw it straight on (center photo) and it looked like a column with alternating sections of color. As we changed perspective, we realized that it really was a zig-zag column and the color differences were shadows.

Lon captured yet another perspective by looking up from the base.

"Black Flag" by Alexander Calder also looks totally different from different locations.

Most of the pieces are definitely "hands-off", but some, like "Suspended" by Menashe Kadishman, absolutely demand physical interaction.

"She" by Mark di Suvero has "kinetic" parts and even a swinging deck. The large roller and hanging anchor also move.

And finally, my favorite piece: "Fallen Sky" by Sarah Sze is built into the southern side of Museum Hill. To me, it looks like a large, eroded telescope mirror. (The artist might disagree!)

We only got to about half the grounds on this trip, so that leaves more to see next time.