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The Broken Kilometer

A minimalist masterpiece by Walter De Maria, this permanent installation features 500 polished brass rods arranged in a precise, rhythmic grid within a quiet SoHo storefront.

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What is The Broken Kilometer?

The Broken Kilometer is a permanent art installation by Walter De Maria located in a street-level storefront in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. The work consists of 500 polished solid brass rods, each two meters long, arranged in five parallel rows of 100.

Where is it located?

The installation is located at 393 West Broadway in New York City.

What are the hours?

The visiting hours are Wednesday through Sunday, from 12–3 pm and 3:30–6 pm.

Is it free?

Yes, admission is free.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

No, the site is not wheelchair accessible as it is located on the ground floor and requires walking up three stairs.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Broken Kilometer is a permanent art installation created by Walter De Maria, situated inside a street-level storefront at 393 West Broadway in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Commissioned by the Dia Art Foundation in 1979, the work has remained on long-term public view for decades, offering a meditative contrast to the bustling city streets outside. The sculpture is composed of 500 highly polished, round, solid brass rods. Each individual rod measures two meters in length and five centimeters (two inches) in diameter. These elements are laid meticulously on the floor in five parallel rows of 100 rods each, creating a rigorous geometric field of gold-toned metal. This installation serves as a companion piece to De Maria's 1977 work, the Vertical Earth Kilometer, located in Kassel, Germany. While the German piece plunges deep into the earth, the SoHo installation spreads its singular kilometer of brass across a horizontal plane. Following a closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the site reopened for visitation on September 16, 2020. Visitors can experience this minimalist environment for free, though the space has specific accessibility limitations. The site is located on the ground floor but requires walking up three stairs, meaning it is not wheelchair accessible.

Visitor tips

  • Plan your visit for Wednesday through Sunday between 12–3 pm or 3:30–6 pm.
  • Be aware that the entrance requires climbing three stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
  • Admission is free, making it an easy, low-pressure stop during a SoHo gallery crawl.

Nearby context

Located at 393 West Broadway, the installation is embedded in the heart of SoHo, an area famous for its cast-iron architecture and high-end art galleries. Its storefront presence allows it to blend into the commercial fabric of the neighborhood while maintaining its identity as a dedicated Dia Art Foundation site.

Sources

Evidence and links