Presented by Gagosian
The legacy of Chris Burden, whose studio practice thrived in Topanga Canyon, is celebrated at Frieze. The presentation of his 40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper, a 40 ½ foot tall tower made of stainless steel reproductions of Erector Set girders, stands as a monumental reminder of Burden's influence in the development of culture in Los Angeles.
The 40 Foot Stepped Skyscraper represents the artist's belief in the essential difference between two and three-dimensional art. A two-dimensional work creates an illusionary space, while a three-dimensional work, like this sculpture, requires the viewer to physically move around it.
The physicality and conceptual nature of the tower were inspired by The Erector Set, a metal toy construction system produced by American inventor A.C. Gilbert in 1913, who referenced steel girders used in the tall buildings of New York City.