The Broken Kilometer

One of the most moving works of art that never moves except when the brass rods are polished every two years. I recommend visiting several times over the course of two years so that you can see how the installation changes as the brass oxidizes from the harsh NYC environment. It's beautiful and mysterious, quiet and quite brilliant.

One of the best non-commercial museum spaces in NYC of postwar art. Very friendly staff who will answer questions. Photography not permitted — social media free space. Free entry.

Yes it is only the one room but it is so peaceful and helps your mind to think and just process.. check out if you’re looking for something interesting to do!

The caretaker is very knowledgeable and is prepare to answer all your questions. You can learn a lot about how their price was made and maintained.

Very, very impressive. If you have ever said, "I don't get this modern art" or "My daughter could do this!" then stay away. If you have an open mind or just appreciate amazing spectacle make sure to stop by. (You'll also want to put the New York Earth Room on your list.) Check their hours because they can be quirky.

Great installation, visiting at different times of day will give you a new experience each time. Lots of natural light. Worth viewing at least once. Could spend 5-30 min here depending on the viewer.

One of the art installations supported by Dia Foundation in New York City. Different from other fancy stores in SoHo, this place is very decent, without huge logo. Many times I entered alone, but encountering many other visitors inside - quiet always - like an escape from Manhattan. This work is done by De Maria. It would be better to understand it together with his work in Kassel, Germany - called "Vertical Earth Kilometer". One is complete, but buried underground; one is visible, but broken in pieces. Don't want to say too much...

The Broken Kilometer is one of Walter De Maria's art installations. There is another one close to this one called The New York Earth Room. The Broken Kilometer has 500 identical brass rods placed in five parallel rows of 100 rods each. The catch is that on joining all the rods end to end would result in a kilometer. The brilliance of the polished rods illuminates the entire room and one can enjoy the symmetry and dwell in the artist's legacy in a quiet exhibition hall at 393 West Broadway.

Totally secret spot. Been here for almost forty years. Very peaceful and free to enjoy Can't take a photo inside. Hence the photo of the brochure

This is a companion to the other Walter de Maria art installation located nearby (The Earth Room). This art installation consists of a large room with about 7 rows of many golden rods lined up for the length of the room. What is the meaning of it? There was no explanation for what was the point of it, other than perhaps wasting precious money and real estate on unexplainable modern art. To its credit, it was nice to look at and free. It was also much more worthy of your time than the Earth Room, but that is speaking relatively. They also have some pretty powerful light bulbs that make it seem like natural light is in the room although there are no windows. Overall, it's only worth visiting if you're in the area.

This is a really cool art installation in a seemingly random room in the Village. It's marked by a small sign and you walk through these generic looking doors to arrive in a white reception area. You walk around the corner and there are gold rods on the floor, totaling 1 kilometer in length if put together. They are actually spaced unevenly apart and get more elevated toward the back of the room, but the illusion is that they are evenly spaced. There are many rows, and it's laid on beautiful wooden floors. The center of the room has corinthian columns and the walls are all white. It's really cool. You can't take a photograph, but there is a person sitting there who can explain some of the intricacies to you if you want. It's free, but only open during certain hours.

Heard about the earth room for years but never made it by until today! Upon entering, I found it to be delightfully meditative and playful and wanted to know more about the artíste. A cursory google search revealed that William de maría had ANOTHER exhibit just steps away called the Broken Kilometer. I asked myself "what could that be?" And I just had to find out. As I walked over, I was giddy with anticipation. The moment I saw the pure bronze rods I was struck with wonder and delight. Not only were they pure bronze, they were pure brilliance. The way they caught the light (the light which was carefully designed to resemble the time of day just before dawn becomes full daylight) changed depending on your location in the room -- an effect that invoked a sense of mystery. The mystery did not stop there - Walter's mind bending vision will keep the mystery alive in my life (and in my heart) forever and beyond.