Rachel Whiteread: walls doors floors [and] stairs

The British installation artist Rachel Whiteread does deliberately what the lava of Pompeii did naturally. She casts whole rooms or architectural details to create a sculptural reversal, places and objects which both literally and figuratively leave an impression and occupy space firmly even in their immateriality. The four series presented here on the theme of the "house" transform the functional qualities of surrounding architecture into aura-filled works of art. They are comprised of early and new works, providing a useful overview of this aspect of Whiteread's notable career. Four essays by well-known critics illuminate the principles behind her work to go along with some 50 color illustrations.