The Glass Labyrinth

Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has a single path to the center, after which you turn around and follow it back out. It is meant to be a slow meditative journey. Robert Morris has constructed a labyrinth of glass on the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins museum in Kansas City, MO. 

I entered the labyrinth close to twilight, there was no one else around. I walked intentionally, searching for calm. After a few steps, I saw the imprint of a face on the glass directly in front of me. After that, I walked with a hand extended. I quickly learned to look for the edges of plate glass, (the height was over my head); but the sense of uneasiness began to build. I think the fact that I can see through the walls adds to the tension. I walk, and I turn, and I reach dead ends, but they are not dead, I am following a path. By the time I reach the center of the labyrinth, I actually have reached a dead end. The panic starts to rise in my throat. "Oh my god, I am trapped in a glass box in Kansas City! I am trapped here forever. The death of a mime is mine!!!!!"

Okay.

But then I realize, I just need to turn around and follow the path out. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe. I resisted the urge to walk quickly or run, because that ends in a face print on the wall. After a few more turns in the path, a man and a woman entered the maze and smiled at me. "Don't worry. your almost out," they said through the glass. What did they know? But I was friendly and chatted with them as we passed each other. With my hand on the wall, I finally made it back out. I don't know if I have ever had a sculpture unsettle me so much. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC has a strong emotional effect, but this was unnerving.

Breathing deeply, I was so relieved to be out. As I walked down the brick path running through the fresh spring grass, I began to relax. I glanced back over my shoulder at the maze just in time to see the man bouncing off the wall with an audible "SMACK'.

I'm glad I got out of there without a bloody nose.