Phase of Nothingness

Phase of Nothingness (1969 – 2012) is a sculptural work by Nobuo Sekine that explores the relationship between material, space, and perception. Originally conceived within the context of Mono-ha, the work is based on the precise extraction and reassembly of earth into a cylindrical form, presenting matter as both absence and presence. Rather than altering the material, Sekine reveals its inherent properties, emphasizing balance, proportion, and spatial awareness.

The sculpture invites viewers to consider the physical and conceptual dimensions of emptiness, where the void is as significant as the material itself. By isolating form and material, Phase of Nothingness encourages attention to scale, context, and the viewer’s own position in space.

Installed at The Grove – Sports Boulevard, the artwork is situated within a landscaped public setting defined by movement and openness. In this context, Phase of Nothingness functions as a contemplative focal point, creating a pause within the urban environment and contributing to placemaking by integrating art, landscape, and the experience of public space.