The artwork “Folding the Chesapeake,” created by artist Maya Lin in 2015, is a distinctive installation piece that aligns with the Post-Minimalism art movement. The artwork is an intricate and expansive rendering of the Chesapeake Bay, meticulously composed of green glass marbles that cover the floor and reach up along the walls of a gallery space.
The artwork features a vast, sinuous depiction of the Chesapeake Bay, with its numerous estuaries and tributaries delicately traced in glass marbles. These marbles are arranged in a manner that seamlessly extends from the floor to the walls, creating a fluid, three-dimensional representation of the waterway. The installation transforms the gallery into an immersive topographical experience, encouraging viewers to interact with and contemplate the natural contours of the bay. This post-minimalist approach, characterized by simplicity and a focus on materiality, embodies a contemplative dialogue between art and environment, reflecting Maya Lin’s ongoing exploration of landscape and ecological themes.
