Work/Partially Shed

Partially Shed (May 4 Kent 70) (2005)
Reclaimed wood, household paint (7m x 2m x 2.5m approx)

In 1970, Robert Smithson completed ‘Partially Buried Woodshed’ at Kent State University, piling earth on top of an existing woodshed until the roof beam collapsed.
On May 4th of that year, several Kent State students protesting at the Vietnam war were shot dead by the National Guard on campus.
Soon after, ‘May 4 Kent 70’ was painted on to the woodshed by persons unknown, in memorial to those killed, drawing an interesting parallel between the literal breaking of the supporting structure of the shed and the metaphorical breaking of the student protest movement. The shed gradually collapsed over the years and was removed from the site piece by piece, despite a promise by Kent State University to keep the work as it was.

In 2005, Charlesworth, Lewandowski & Mann created ‘Partially Shed’ (May 4 Kent 70) which was displayed in a warehouse in Greenwich as part of the Deptford X festival.