Seventy tons of Cor-Ten steel. That’s what greets you at the Ballast Sculpture. Two massive plates rise before you each 50 feet tall 14 feet wide. This isn’t just any sculpture. This is Richard Serra’s masterpiece a testament to minimalist art.
Created by San Francisco native Richard Serra Ballast arrived in 2005. It was a dramatic event. A 15-man crew wrestled these colossal plates into place. Rain hammered down. The ground was muddy. Yet there they were installed perfectly.
Each plate tilts 18 inches in opposite directions. They seem to defy gravity. This is intentional. Serra designed Ballast to hold the vastness of the plaza. He wanted to emphasize the space between the plates. He wanted to create a dynamic interaction between the sculpture and the environment.
The steel is remarkable. It’s Cor-Ten steel a special alloy. It’s designed to weather. Over time the red iron oxide will change. It will transform into a dark violet-brown hue. The sculpture will evolve with the environment. It will change color reflecting the passage of time.
Ballast isn’t just about the steel. It’s about the experience. Walk around it. Feel the scale. Notice how your perspective shifts. The space between the plates changes as you move. You are part of the artwork.
The plates are bolted onto their foundations. They’re 133 feet apart. Their distance underscores the expansiveness of the plaza. The journey from France was an adventure too. They arrived at Pier 80 then traveled to Mare Island for final assembly.
Ballast anchors this plaza. It’s a symbol of UCSF’s commitment to public art. It’s a remarkable addition to the city. It’s a place to reflect on art space and scale. It’s a place to remember Serra’s vision. It’s a stunning work of art that will continue to evolve and captivate for years to come.