"Abstract Art's New World, Forged for All" by Michael Kimmelman, 2005

Richard Serra, The Matter of Time, 2005

A review of Richard Serra's permanent installation in the Guggenheim, this article looks at the installation as evidence of a major turning point in the artist's career.  Kimmelman believes that this work "rejuvenates and pushes abstraction to a fresh level."  He contrasts this with a somewhat more negative view of Serra's work back in the late 80s when his sculptures were perceived to be "menacing," especially "Tilted Arc."    

Richard Serra, Tilted Arc, 1981

He believes Serra has grown as an artist and this growth has helped people realize the fun, almost playground-like quality to his work.  All of his works are focused on the individual experience of people walking in and around his sculptures, the time it takes them, what memories each person creates of the work, and an element of the surprise/unexpected as one travels through his organic forms, wondering what will be around the next corner.  The installation in the Guggenheim really makes use of the particular space in which it is housed, creating different feelings of openness and closure, forcing people to movie in a certain direction here while subtly prodding them in another there.  What is important is not the overall work but the experience of navigating the work.