Mind the gap: Gagosian New York presents a host of Chris Burden’s bridges

 Antique Bridge, 2003. 
Chris Burden's fascination with bridges is explored in a new posthumous show at the Gagosian's Park Avenue space in New York City. Pictured: Antique Bridge, 2003. 
(Image credit: Josh White/JWPictures.com)

When New York City's New Museum staged its 2013 retrospective for the late sculptor Chris Burden, some of the most arresting pieces of work were several intricately realised bridge constructions that debuted during the show. While those structures spanned the width of the room, a selection of Burden’s small-scale bridges is currently being displayed at the Gagosian’s Park Avenue and 75th Street space.

Of course, Burden’s fascination with bridges didn’t just materialise in 2013. Back in 1997, the sculptor was captivated by a drawing of an unrealised bridge from the 19th century and created his piece, The 1/4 Ton Bridge, from vintage Meccano and Erector sets.

‘As a sculptor, I’m interested in architecture and I’ve made artworks that are literally architectural,’ Burden has said. ‘What I like about bridges as a kicker is that a bridge’s function is extremely pure and clear. Yet, if you look through the history of bridges, the solutions are infinite.’

Rather than being merely aesthetic constructions, Burden’s bridges are accurate down to a tee. In addition to understanding the mechanics of proportion and weight – which he’s also demonstrated in other kinetic, transport themed works – Burden also commissioned stainless steel replicas of the 'Erector Mysto Type I' set to ensure that his bridges would resist rust and corrosion. These improved components appear in Indo-China Bridge, 2002; Tower of London Bridge, 2003; and Victoria Falls Bridge, 2003. The full extent of Burden’s imagination is best captured in Tyne Bridge Kit, 2004 – a wooden cabinet made specifically for a 31ft model of the titular bridge, which involves 20,000 pieces, and includes tools and instructions (thankfully).

The Gagosian’s love for Burden doesn’t stop there. At its Madison Avenue location, the gallery is exhibiting one of Burden’s last works, Buddha's Fingers, 2014–15. Taking cues from Urban Light, 2008, which permanently holds court at LACMA’s entrance and catapulted Burden into the public consciousness, a forest of 32 cast-iron antique street lamps are set in a honeycomb formation. 

Victoria Falls Bridge, 2003

‘As a sculptor, I’m interested in architecture, and I’ve made artworks that are literally architectural,’ Burden has said. Pictured: Victoria Falls Bridge, 200

(Image credit: Josh White/JWPictures.com)

Tower of London Bridge, 2003

‘What I like about bridges as a kicker is that a bridge’s function is extremely pure and clear. Yet, if you look through the history of bridges, the solutions are infinite.’ Pictured: Tower of London Bridge, 2003

(Image credit:  Josh White/JWPictures.com)

Tyne Bridge Kit, 2004, he 1/4 Ton Bridge, 1997–2000 with Static Test, 2000

Burden’s bridges are accurate down to a tee. Pictured left: Tyne Bridge Kit, 2004. Right: The 1/4 Ton Bridge, 1997–2000 with Static Test, 2000 (back) 

(Image credit: Josh White/JWPictures.com)

Indo-China Bridge, 2002.

Burden even commissioned stainless steel replicas of the 'Erector Mysto Type I' set to ensure that his bridges would resist rust and corrosion. Pictured: Indo-China Bridge, 2002.

(Image credit: Josh White/JWPictures.com)

Buddha's Fingers, 2014–15

The Gagosian's Madison Avenue space is also installed with a Burden, in the form of one of the artist's last works, Buddha's Fingers, 2014–15

(Image credit: Robert McKeever​)

Gburde Buddhas Fingers 980 2016

Taking cues from his own LACMA installation, Urban Light, 2008, Buddha's Fingers is a forest of 32 cast-iron antique street lamps set in a honeycomb formation

(Image credit:  Robert McKeever​)

INFORMATION

‘Bridges’ and ‘Buddha’s Fingers’ are on view at Gagosian’s uptown locations until 20 February. For more details, please visit the Gagosian’s website

Photography: ©Chris Burden. Courtesy of the Chris Burden Estate and Gagosian Gallery

Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.