Marauder
Carla Arocha, 2007
Information
Created in 2007, Marauder is made of steel and mirror, with impressive dimensions of 500 × 150 × 900 cm. Its monumental scale and highly reflective materials make it one of the most impactful works in The Met Hotel’s collection.
Artistic Context
Carla Arocha (b. 1961, Caracas) studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Illinois and now lives and works in Antwerp, Belgium. Her work explores the dialogue between the visible and the unpredictable through materials like mirror, steel, and acrylic.
Arocha is deeply influenced by the aesthetics and geometry of 20th-century avant-garde movements—Constructivism, Suprematism, Hard-edge, and Op Art. Marauder belongs to her series of large-scale installations, in which interwoven geometric forms interact with the environment, creating a dynamic interplay of reflections and transparency that activates the viewer and invites them to continuous observation.
Placement & Dynamics at The Met
Marauder is located in the main reception area of The Met Hotel, where it dominates with its imposing presence and its interaction with light and architecture. It highlights the hotel’s philosophy of integrating art into everyday spaces and offers a constantly changing visual spectacle depending on the viewer’s position.
Placed in a high-traffic area, it functions not only as a sculpture but also as part of the hotel’s architectural experience itself.
Why it deserves your attention
- A Visual Trap: A work that “records” its environment and you within it, transforming a simple passage into an experience.
- Dynamic Participation: The viewer becomes a part of the work—through their reflection, their perspective, and their movement.
- Design Meets Illusion: Marauder is not just an object; it is space, illusion, and an artistic phenomenon.