Charles Ray on the Geological Sense of Time

In an interview with Massimiliano Gioni published in artpress no. 458 (September 2018), Charles Ray discusses his sculptural practice, emphasizing a geological sense of time. The interview explores how Ray's works engage with materiality, scale, and the passage of time, reflecting on the relationship between human perception and natural processes. Ray elaborates on his use of materials like fiberglass and stainless steel to create hyperrealistic figures that seem to exist outside of conventional temporality. The conversation touches on his early career, the influence of Minimalism, and his approach to figuration. Ray's sculptures often depict everyday moments frozen in time, inviting viewers to contemplate the slow, almost imperceptible changes that shape both the natural world and human experience. The interview was part of the magazine's archive series, republished online in 2022.