EastWest/WestEast Sculpture by Richard Serra Tourism
Type of destination: Art Installation/Sculpture
Ideal visit duration: 1-2 hours
The East-West/West-East Sculpture by Richard Serra is a remarkable installation set within the Brouq Nature Reserve in Al Shahaniya, Qatar. This striking piece of modern art was unveiled in April 2014 and consists of four towering steel plates aligned with one another across approximately one kilometer of the desert landscape. Each of the steel plates measures over fourteen meters in height, and their monumental scale against the vast desert backdrop creates a unique visual spectacle. These plates are geometrically positioned to perfection, taking into account the topography and curvature of the earth. The installation interacts with the landscape, as the changing light of day highlights the plates' texture and allows for a different viewing experience at various times. Richard Serra, an American minimalist sculptor known for his work with large-scale assemblies of sheet metal, designed these structures to emphasize the interplay between space, geography and viewer perception. East-West/West-East challenges the traditional notion of a sculpture being confined within the urban spaces and brings forth the dialogue between art, nature and the immensity of the space it inhabits, offering visitors a serene yet thought-provoking adventure in the desert.