I first saw Richard Wilson’s installation' 20:50' at the Saatchi Gallery in Boundary Road nearly 20 years ago. I have since tried to explain it but it defies belief when you tell people that it is possible to walk waist-deep into a reservoir of recycled sump oil. It sounds horrible but these pictures show how the trick is performed and how sublime is the effect of the calm mirrored surface.
It reflects and doubles the architectural features.
The sides of the metal walkway come virtually to meet the glassy surface and whilst it is safe, the magic of the experience is menaced by the idea that you are within a centimetre or two of being engulfed by 8,000 litres of unpleasant black engine oil. I know it really is oil because one of the youngsters I took unwittingly dipped the strap of his rucksack into it.
The installation has now opened in its new home at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea here.
Totally worth experiencing. My son Will told me today that it made a huge impression on him all those years ago.
Photographs 1-4: Linda Niland; 5: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
courtesy of The Guardian's marvellous website
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