I love going to Dia: Beacon for so many reasons. The architecture doesn’t fight the artwork and the space that work is given is something that you typically don’t find in most museums. I also love the entrance way; guests to the museum squeeze through this little narrow passage and on the other side awaits 240,000 square feet of exhibition space illuminated by natural light. It’s just beautiful.

The museum houses works created by a focused group of significant and typically well- known artists, like Dan Flavin, Sol Lewitt, and Richard Serra. I make a point to revisit the Dia collection yearly - if not more - and am fortunate to say that I’ve grown comfortable with these works. While I might take away a new understanding or appreciation after a visit, it’s rare that I’ll leave with a new, profound, career-shaking discovery.

That is, until the special exhibition I witnessed this past Memorial Day weekend. I came across an artist and series of work that I had never heard about! I was completely awestruck and inspired! The artist is Franz Erhard Walther, and his exhibition is called “Work as Action.”

This presentation of works features a selection of Handlungsstücke (Action Pieces) from the early 1960s, including the complete presentation of 1. Werksatz (First Work Set), 1963–69. 1. Werksatz comprises fifty-eight fabric elements, or “instruments,” meant to be activated by visitors to the museum, drawing attention to the body as material form.

There are many different ways to experience Walther’s work. You can be the person activating the work, or you can watch the process. Although I didn’t get the chance to activate any of the sculptures, I saw a young man activate the vest shown in the picture above. It was amazing! He put it on and began galloping around the perimeter of the exhibition space. For whatever reason, it brought me so much happiness, and the action created a freeing, uplifting moment.

I am excited to learn more about this artist and see how his use of material influences my own art making practice.

Photo: Franz Erhard Walther, installation view of Franz Erhard Walther: Work as Action, Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, Beacon, New York. October 2, 2010–February 13, 2012. Photo: David Allison.