“Up and Across,” created by Richard Artschwager in 1985, is a notable work within the Conceptual Art movement. The artwork is an installation piece that highlights Artschwager’s experimental approach to art, characterized by an emphasis on the relationship between form and space.
The artwork features an arrangement that includes a series of black spherical objects aligned atop a lengthwise structure, which appears to be supported by brackets attached to the wall. This structure, with its textured pattern resembling marble or wood grain, extends horizontally across the lower section of the installation. To its left, there is a stepped formation that continues the textured pattern, adding a sense of elevation to the composition. On the right side of the artwork, a single elongated, suspended black object is visible, hanging from the ceiling, creating a vertical counterbalance to the horizontal spread of the installation. The minimalist use of color and shape, alongside the thoughtful positioning of the objects, compels viewers to consider the physical and spatial dynamics at play.
