Robert Morris

Robert Morris was a crucial figure in the establishment of MinimalismProcess Art, and Land Art. His earliest explorations of Minimalism were the props he made for performances at the Judson Dance Theater where his wife, Simone Forti, was a choreographer and dancer. Later, Morris would explore the use of industrial materials such as aluminum and steel, accompanied by influential essays that helped establish the theories around Minimalism and other movements. Moving toward Process art, in 1963 he created Metered Bulb, a lightbulb displayed alongside an electric meter that monotonously recorded its energy expenditure. He would experiment widely with heavy felt, mirrors, textiles, waste products, steam, and dirt, creating ephemeral works that deconstructed the very notion of the art object. Morris was also involved in Performance art, collaborating with Walter De Maria and La Monte Young, among others.