On the morning of 6th June 1969, somewhere in the Mojave Desert in California, 2 cubic feet of helium were returned to the atmosphere.
This ephemeral gesture from Robert Barry, formed a large environmental sculpture, of sorts. Returning an undetectable material to the atmosphere in which it already exists. This work altered the ground from making and performing to mediating, acknowledging how the role of the site and spectator can change, as well as the conditions for visual art. Your perception of this piece depends on your imagination and your understanding of it.
It’s one of those if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make sound scenarios.
How philosophical of you Mr. Barry.
