7, Steel sculpture in Museum of Islamic Art Park, Doha, Qatar
The sculpture 7 is a steel construction in the Museum of Islamic Art Park consisting of seven plates arranged in a heptagonal form. The plates rise above a platform extending into the water, offering multiple perspectives for viewing the artwork.
The artwork was created in 2011 by American artist Richard Serra following a recommendation from renowned architect I.M. Pei to the museum authority. The commission came from Qatar's museum organization, demonstrating how international experts collaborated in shaping Doha's art landscape.
The steel plates create geometric openings that echo Islamic minarets and reflect mathematical principles found in Persian scholarship. Visitors can directly experience this connection between contemporary art and traditional forms as they walk around the structure.
The artwork is accessible year-round and stands on an elevated platform extending into the bay from the shore. The best way to see the different angles and the steel's response to light and weather is by walking around the platform.
The steel artwork naturally changes color from orange to dark brown through oxidation, creating an ever-shifting visual experience. This color transformation is not preserved or protected but rather part of the artistic concept that incorporates time and weather into the work.
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