Tilted Arc

The Tilted Arc was a large-scale steel sculpture by artist Richard Serra, commissioned in 1981 for New York City's Federal Plaza. Measuring 120 feet long and nearly 4 feet high, the abstract work was designed to be site-specific, meaning its placement and form were integral to its artistic statement.1

Serra, known for his minimalist approach, focused on the physical presence of his sculptures, emphasizing weight, gravity, and space. The Tilted Arc was intended to make people engage with the public space by impeding movement through the plaza, forcing them to navigate around it. This design choice, however, led to significant public controversy and complaints. After a public hearing, the sculpture was destroyed in 1989.1