The Trial of Tilted Arc (1986)

The Trial of Tilted Arc (1986) poster

The artwork on trial is Richard Serra's public sculpture, Tilted Arc, commissioned and installed by the U.S. government in 1981. Four years later, a public hearing was held to consider the removal of the sculpture from its site in Federal Plaza in New York City. In documenting the climatic General Services Administration hearing, The Trial Of Tilted Arc is a thought-provoking indictment of the state of the arts. At issue is the validity of a contract between an artist and the government, the freedom of artistic expression, and the "public's" involvement in designing the visual environment. The dialogue/debate between the art community and the bureaucrats has described this site-specific art work in terms ranging from "masterpiece" to "mouse trap."

Director: Shu Lea Cheang
Runtime: 52 min
Release Date:
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Shu Lea Cheang

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Trial of Tilted Arc about?
The artwork on trial is Richard Serra's public sculpture, Tilted Arc, commissioned and installed by the U.S. government in 1981. Four years later, a public hearing was held to consider the removal of the sculpture from its site in Federal Plaza in New York City. In documenting the climatic General Services Administration hearing, The Trial Of Tilted Arc is a thought-provoking indictment of the state of the arts. At issue is the validity of a contract between an artist and the government, the freedom of artistic expression, and the "public's" involvement in designing the visual environment. The dialogue/debate between the art community and the bureaucrats has described this site-specific art work in terms ranging from "masterpiece" to "mouse trap."
Who directed The Trial of Tilted Arc?
The Trial of Tilted Arc was directed by Shu Lea Cheang.
How long is The Trial of Tilted Arc?
The Trial of Tilted Arc has a runtime of 52m (52 minutes).