Caspian Sea
Artist
Maya Lin
(American, born 1959)
Date2006
MediumBaltic birch plywood
DimensionsOverall installed with base and sculpture: 46 1/2 x 58 1/2 x 33 in. (118.1 x 148.6 x 83.8 cm)
Caspian Sea, wood sculpture only: 19 x 58 1/2 x 32 7/8 in. (48.3 x 148.6 x 83.5 cm)
Base (Fitted base dimensions): 36 1/2 x 20 x 16 in. (92.7 x 50.8 x 40.6 cm)
Caspian Sea, wood sculpture only: 19 x 58 1/2 x 32 7/8 in. (48.3 x 148.6 x 83.5 cm)
Base (Fitted base dimensions): 36 1/2 x 20 x 16 in. (92.7 x 50.8 x 40.6 cm)
ClassificationsContemporary art
Credit LineGift of the Mowbray Arch Society, 2011
Object number2011.10
Collections
On View
Not on viewLabel TextMaya Lin American, b. 1956 Caspian Sea (from the Bodies of Water series), 2006 Baltic birch plywood The surface of Maya Lin’s Caspian Sea is represented by a smooth piece of plywood. It becomes sculptural as the artist methodically layers pieces of laser-cut wood to echo the topography of the Caspian Sea, exaggerating its depth up to 200 times. The eye moves downward as the brain imagines the physical journey to the sea’s lowest point. As one of the largest landlocked bodies of water, the sea sits directly between Europe and Asia and above rich deposits of oil and natural gas. Unfortunately, the extraction of those natural materials has greatly polluted it. Incorporating the theme of environmental stress in her work, Lin says of the oceans, “maybe we pollute because we’ve forgotten. If you look at it, I think you’ll take care of it.” Gift of the Mowbray Arch Society 2011.10
