About the Artist

In the world of art, Robert Morris is most commonly known for being one of the most prominent theorists in minimalism. Minimalism is a style that focuses on using pared-down design elements. He mainly enjoys creating simplistic artworks out of basic geometric shapes. One of his most famous minimalist pieces was Untitled (L-Beams) (1965). This piece consisted of 3 L-shaped forms that had no texture or any other figural content that would distract the viewer from focusing how the L-shaped forms were arranged. This piece could be viewed from all angles and he would periodically change the arrangement of the L-shaped forms so that the viewer could have new perceptions of the piece. As a side note, although minimalism is what Morris is primarily known for, he was also a notable figure in process art and land art.

Robert Morris’s Intent of this Piece

Robert Morris’s intent was to make a sculpture that would create an experience for his audience. His intentions were to make simple creations that would have a significant effect on the audience. He strives to make art that would allow the viewer’s perception of the art to shift as they moved around it. His intent in creating Untitled (Steam Work for Bellingham) (1971) was to create an opportunity for there to be an interaction between the landscape in which the sculpture took place and the viewer.

History behind Untitled (Steam Work for Bellingham)

Robert Morris created the Steam Works for Bellingham in the year 1974 on the grounds of Western Washington University. Located on the north side of Western’s campus is where the public sculpture gets its steam (Miscellaneous building). The steam plant building began development during the late 1960’s, soon finishing its construction in 1970. The steam plant building is composed of 5 fired boilers generating a massive 253 thousand pounds of steam per hour. As of today, the steam plant building runs 24 hours a day for 365 days a year where it provides a natural gas which is created into steam which helps create heat to the bulk of Western’s campus facilities. Not only this, but once the steam has reached the sculpture, it begins to rise through the metal grate of the geometric piece, creating a releasing from the rocks. The steam was able to represent Western as a whole and the constant change Bellingham brings, such as weather and transformation.

During the mid-1960’s through the mid-1970’s arts were able to create works of art that were not of the typical norm of standard art. Artists were able to expand on their efforts of creating amazing experiences and quality products to its viewers. Art and pop culture expanded its wide collection of unique products as the Steam Works for Bellingham was just one of those pieces of unique art. Morris was able to use his creativity to make an original and beautiful piece which also had a sort of mystery.

Our Interpretation

After researching Robert Morris’s Steam Work for Bellingham piece, we were in awe by the way he was able to catch our attention on the piece and the uniqueness it was able to bring to Western Washington University. We had could realize that it was one of the more interactive pieces of art on campus which made it a worthwhile experience. Professor Gour helped our group by telling us when the steam would release from the sculpture, so that really helped engage us with the piece. When viewing the piece, we had all first thought it was just a bunch of rocks piled together which made it confusing to understand the meaning of this piece. However, not only did we witness the steam coming out of the rocks but we were also able to notice students coming around the geometric piece and beginning to communicate and form connections with each other, which we believe was the true purpose Morris wanted for this piece.

Credits

Jackson Bennett – Research, WordPress trained

Aaron Abebe – Research

Keegan Coovert – Photographer/Videographer

Citations

Morris, R. Steam Work for Bellingham-II, 1974 – Robert Morris. Retrieved April 26, 2017, from https://www.wikiart.org/en/robert-morris/steam-work-for-bellingham-ii-1974

Robert Morris. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from https://www.wikiart.org/en/robert-morris

Minimalism. (2017, April 21). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalism#Minimal_art.2C_minimalism_in_visual_art

Robert Morris Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from http://www.theartstory.org/artist-morris-robert.htm

Steam Work for Bellingham-II. (2017, February 10). Retrieved April 26, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Work_for_Bellingham-II

Spivey, V. (2004). Sites of Subjectivity: Robert Morris, Minimalism, and Dance. Dance Research Journal, 36(1), 113-130. doi:10.1017/S0149767700007592