Ann Hamilton

ground, 2010

• Wool felt carpet, 3500 sq. ft.
• Installed in Pembroke Hall, third floor
• Viewable by appointment.
• Please contact the Pembroke Center or the Cogut Center.

Ann Hamilton’s ground was commissioned in conjunction with the renovation of Pembroke Hall designed by architect Toshiko Mori. Hamilton set out to create a piece that would match the purpose and function of the specific room—a space for public presentations and discussions—and also the building, home to two esteemed research centers: The Cogut Center for Humanities, and Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research.

At first glance, ground might appear to be simply a carpet, yet, from a distance one can see that it is, in fact, a sea of intricately laid out letters. Modeled on the geometry typesetting drawers used by letterpress printers, the graphic and textual work brings viewers in physical contact with the letters. ground engages viewers on a bodily scale. The interplay of repetition and variety reflect both the possibilities and limitations of language. Materially absorbing and reflecting the reciprocal acts of conversation that occur in the room, ground is a visually and intellectually robust site for dialogue.

Largely concerned with language and text, Hamilton works in a variety of media, from heavy metals to soft woods, to fiber, pigment, wax, and video. She is internationally recognized for her large-scale multi-media installations that utilize accumulations of materials and labor-intensive processes to focus on sensory experiences. Her works have been widely exhibited in America and abroad.