Since the 1960s Conceptual artists, including sculptors, have explored the use of new techniques and materials for sculpture. The medium used and the form of the sculpture became very important: the sculpture no longer needed to reflect a reality or experience. This meant that sculpture could evolve and expand and no longer had to be confined to a pedestal in a gallery or museum. Where traditional materials continue to be used, it is in an unconventional manner using new, advanced techniques. David Nash's Cracking Box shown under the section WOOD is an example of this. Sculptors have also been using ephemeral, perishable materials. Ai Weiwei's A Ton of Tea is a good example. In some cases, artists dismiss solid materials and foundations altogether, the 'de-materialisation of art'. This can be seen in Richard Long's work, where an action, such as a walk in the outdoors, creates an entirely new form of experiential sculpture combined with documentation and text-based works.

 

image: Ai Weiwei, detail of A Ton of Tea (K6365)