Untitled (Stack)

Untitled (Stack) refers to a highly influential series of minimalist sculptures first developed by Donald Judd in the mid-1960s. The works consist of identical rectangular hollow boxes stacked vertically, with mathematically precise gaps between them. Judd created these works to exist purely in three-dimensional space, rejecting traditional illusionism.

Judd deliberately utilized industrial materials to fabricate his Stacks, actively avoiding traditional sculptural media like bronze or clay. The works are typically constructed from materials like anodized aluminum, stainless steel, or plexiglass. He frequently combined a metal exterior with colored plexiglass sides to explore how light interacts with the surfaces.

The spacing in a Donald Judd Stack is mathematically rigid; the gap between each box is exactly the same height as the box itself. For example, if a box is 9 inches high, the space separating it from the next box will also be 9 inches. This strict ratio creates a rhythmic pattern that stretches perfectly from the floor to the ceiling.

Donald Judd's Stack sculptures are held in the permanent collections of major modern art museums worldwide. You can view excellent examples at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas, also houses extensive collections of his work.