Richard Serra

Richard Serra began making 16 mm films while working as a sculptor on "process-based pieces" (Belts, 1966-1967; One Ton Prop, 1969), in which the material properties of the works were underscored by specific procedures or actions (cutting, rolling, folding, stretching). Four short films – Hand Catching Lead, Hand Lead Fulcrum, Hands Scraping and Hands Tied – all made between 1968 and 1969 with the help of Robert Fiore as cameraman, continue this approach. The programme of these "hand and process" films (according to Eric de Bruyn's definition) is completed by two other works, again with Fiore, from 1969: Frame and Tina Turning. Frame is a quasi-burlesque reflection on the illusionist nature of space as rendered by the camera's framing. Tina Turning concentrates on a short physical performance, showing artist Tina Girouard as she turns at high speed to the point of losing her balance. 

Session presented by Eric de Bruyn, professor of Modern and Contemporary Art in the Department of  Art History at the Free University of Berlin and editor of the Grey Room review. 

Richard Serra, Hand Catching Lead, 1968, 16 mm, black and white, silent, 3 min 30 s 

Richard Serra, Hands Scraping, 1968, 16 mm, black and white, silent, 4 min 30 s 

Richard Serra, Hands Tied, 1968, 16 mm, black and white, silent, 3 min 30 s 

Richard Serra, Hand Lead Fulcrum, 1968, 16 mm, black and white, silent, 3 min 

Richard Serra, Frame, 1969, 16 mm, black and white, sound, 22 min 

Richard Serra, Tina Turning, 1969, 16 mm, black and white, silent, 2 min 

Acknowledgements: The Museum of Modern Art (New York), Gagosian (New York, Paris)