The Time it Takes 540 People to Cross a Bridge
Sculpture
Wood, rope
2 walls with 270 blocks of wood each joined by 3 cross-bars 105" in length - Dimensions: 63" x 106" x 52.5"

Émilio Williams Portal’s installation is made of simple materials but reflects complex relationships. He uses 540 pieces of wood cut in different dimensions to illustrate the relationships and contrasts inherent in a throng of people crossing the bridge. The majority of the wood pieces are cut in blocks 3 ½ x 3 ½ inches in size, symbolically uniform like most people in a group. Other pieces are longer in shape, thrusting forward aggressively or lagging behind. The rough, raw, cut edge of the wood brings a human dimension to the sculpture. A rope weaves around and through the pieces of wood – a common thread that connects and unites. This minimalist symbolic construction invites us to reflect on the human relationships that give life to the community. Is a common space possible?

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