Tau, Steel sculpture at Hunter College, United States
Tau is a steel sculpture at Hunter College in New York City, composed of black painted steel tetrahedrons arranged in a T-shaped form. The work stands at the entrance to the 68th Street subway station and is visible to both college students and subway riders.
Artist Tony Smith developed the initial model for Tau between 1961 and 1962 from cardboard during his recovery after a car accident. The project marked a turning point in his artistic direction and eventually led to its realization as a large steel sculpture.
The sculpture represents a shift in Smith's career from architecture to fine arts, incorporating his mathematical and geometric interests into three-dimensional forms.
The sculpture sits at a busy subway station, so it is easily visible and accessible during pedestrian traffic times. Visitors can view it anytime from outside as they pass through the station or explore the surrounding area.
The geometric form was designed without a clear front, encouraging viewers to experience the work from multiple viewpoints. This symmetrical quality makes it a constantly shifting experience depending on where the visitor stands.
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