Walter De Maria- Introduction
Walter De Maria was known for/as University of California, Berkeley (American artist, sculptor, illustrator and composer). The birthplace of this artist is Albany, California, United States. And this artist is the supporter of Land art because every painting of this artist shows the style of Land art art movement. Paintings such as “The Lightning Field” and “New York Earth Room,” are some famous paintings of this artist. Also this article covers essential sections- contents.
I think to be a true minimalist you should almost nearly be invisible yourself.
Walter De Maria
Walter De Maria’s Life and career
Walter De Maria (1935-2013) was an influential American artist, known for his contributions to Minimalism, Land Art, and Conceptual Art. Born in Albany, California, De Maria began his artistic journey as a musician, playing drums in various bands before shifting his focus to visual art in the late 1950s.
So in the early 1960s, De Maria gained recognition for his minimalist sculptures and installations, characterized by their geometric precision and elemental forms. He was associated with artists like Donald Judd and Dan Flavin, who were also exploring similar artistic directions. Throughout his career, he embraced a wide range of materials, including steel, stainless steel, wood, and even lightning.
In the late 1960s, De Maria delved into Land Art, creating large-scale environmental installations that interacted with the natural landscape. One of his most famous works is “The Lightning Field” (1977) in New Mexico, a grid of lightning rods meant to attract and conduct lightning.
Beyond Land Art, De Maria also produced intricate drawings and conceptual pieces, further showcasing his diverse artistic abilities. Also his work often confronted viewers with the sublime, seeking to evoke profound experiences and contemplation.
Walter De Maria’s legacy lies in his innovative fusion of art, nature, and mathematics. His contributions to contemporary art continue to inspire artists and audiences around the world, making him a significant figure in the history of modern art.
This artist was also interested in
Walter De Maria’s 2 Frequently asked questions
1. Why are Walter De Maria paintings so costly?
Also the paintings of Walter De Maria remains in high demand, lovers like to purchase the painting of this artist. Following are some artworks of this artist.
- “The Lightning Field”
- “New York Earth Room”
- “The Broken Kilometer”
You can search these artworks of these Land art artists on- Artplode ( artwork), Artfinder (Land art paintings), Saatchi Art, Society6, and Artnet.
2. If I want to compare the artwork of this Land art artist, then whom should be compared with Walter De Maria?
There are so many artists of Land art. Perhaps, you may disagree with our comparison if you are an ardent follower of this artist. But in view of the area of activity such as University of California, Berkeley (American artist, sculptor, illustrator and composer). We suggest you compare the artworks of Walter De Maria with the following artists:
- Angelica Kauffman
- Anni Albers
- Audrey Flack
- Anni Albers
- Camille Pissarro
Walter De Maria’s Installations
Walter De Maria (1935-2013) was an influential American artist known for his groundbreaking installations that challenged the boundaries of traditional art forms. His works often combined elements of sculpture, minimalism, and land art, creating immersive and awe-inspiring experiences for the viewers.
De Maria’s installations were characterized by their scale and use of simple geometric forms. One of his most renowned works, “The Lightning Field” (1977), consisted of 400 stainless steel poles arranged in a grid over a vast expanse of desert in New Mexico, aiming to interact with natural lightning storms and create a mesmerizing spectacle.
In “The New York Earth Room” (1977), De Maria filled an entire loft with 250 cubic yards of soil, blurring the lines between nature and artifice, inviting visitors to contemplate the relationship between urban living and the natural world.
Another iconic installation, “The Broken Kilometer” (1979), showcased 500 brass rods, each measuring one kilometer in length, arranged in parallel rows, inviting visitors to contemplate vast distances and the infinitude of space.
De Maria’s installations were characterized by their ability to provoke contemplation, engagement, and a sense of wonder in the audience. Through his innovative approach to space, materials, and scale, Walter De Maria left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art and continues to inspire artists and viewers alike to explore the boundaries of artistic expression.
Walter De Maria’s Exhibitions
Walter De Maria’s artistic career was marked by numerous influential exhibitions that showcased his innovative and groundbreaking installations. While I cannot provide an exhaustive list of all his exhibitions, I can highlight some of the most significant ones.
One of his early solo exhibitions was “Cage, Pardo, De Maria” at the Dwan Gallery in Los Angeles in 1965, where De Maria’s work was displayed alongside fellow artists John Cage and Heinz Mack. This exhibition brought attention to De Maria’s unique approach to minimalism and spatial exploration.
In 1972, De Maria had a pivotal solo show at the Kunsthalle Bern in Switzerland, which featured some of his iconic works, including “Bed of Spikes” and “Mile Long Drawing.” This exhibition solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the land art movement.
Another notable exhibition was “The New York Earth Room,” presented at the Heiner Friedrich Gallery in 1977. This installation filled an entire gallery space with tons of soil, captivating audiences with its sheer scale and juxtaposition of natural materials in an urban setting.
In 2007, the Guggenheim Museum in New York held a retrospective titled “Walter De Maria: Trilogies,” which provided a comprehensive overview of his artistic career, featuring works from different periods and themes, showcasing his significant contributions to contemporary art.
Throughout his lifetime, His participated in many group shows and biennials worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on the art world with his thought-provoking and immersive installations.
Know everything about Walter De Maria in short
This YouTube video titled “WALTER DE MARIA. THE 2000 SCULPTURE” explores the artwork of Walter De Maria, focusing Also his transition from outdoor land art installations to bringing earth and land indoors. The video highlights an exhibition at Kunsthaus Zurich where De Maria created a 500-square-meter space using fragile gypsum, incorporating mathematical formulas and patterns into his work. Also the installation consists of 20 rows and 100 balls, inviting viewers to engage with the artwork as they move through the space. The video also emphasizes the role of changing light and weather conditions in perceiving the artwork, encouraging viewers to spend time in the space and appreciate the theme of time itself.See less
Walter De Maria’s Information through Questions
In this article, you got the answer of following questions- Frequently asked questions:-
- Who is Walter De Maria and why this artist is so famous?
- What are the notable artworks of Walter De Maria?
- What are Walter De Maria most famous artworks of? And why, these are so costly?
- What are some interesting facts about Walter De Maria?
- What are the most important sections of the life of Walter De Maria which anybody should know?
You knew about the most important section of the life of his, how the artistic career starts from the first part and ends at the second part. So these important sections are:- contentos You read almost everything about this artist (Walter De Maria). But still, if you want to read more about Land art and Walter De Maria then you may read the following articles:-
- Walter De Maria – Biography | short notes | Top artworks.
- Walter De Maria – Life, paintings, contribution, death.
- Walter De Maria – Short notes | Know everything in seconds.
These articles cover the whole artistic journey of this artist comprehensively.
Exhibition list
- “Cage, Pardo, De Maria” – Dwan Gallery, Los Angeles (1965)
- “5 Continents and 6 Galaxies” – The Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia (1973)
- Documenta 6 – Kassel, Germany (1977)
- “Max Protetch Gallery” – New York (1977)
- “Kunstverein, Cologne” – Cologne, Germany (1978)
- “The Arts Club of Chicago” – Chicago (1981)
- “Dia Art Foundation” – New York (1984)
- “Kunsthaus Zürich” – Zurich, Switzerland (1990)
- “La Criée Centre d’Art Contemporain” – Rennes, France (1991)
- “Museum für Moderne Kunst” – Frankfurt, Germany (1992)
- “Mönchehaus Museum für Moderne Kunst” – Goslar, Germany (1998)
- “The Lightning Field” – Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas (permanent installation since 1977)
- “The New York Earth Room” – Dia Art Foundation, New York (permanent installation since 1977)
- “The Broken Kilometer” – Dia Art Foundation, New York (permanent installation since 1979)
- “Trilogies” – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2007)
- “Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland” – Bonn, Germany (2011)
This list provides a glimpse into the major exhibitions and installations of Walter De Maria’s works across different parts of the world. His remarkable contributions to contemporary art continue to be celebrated. his legacy lives on through these exhibitions and permanent installations.
