The town of East Hampton is pursuing legal action against The Ranch, an art gallery in Montauk, over a 60-foot-tall sculpture constructed from shipping containers. Town officials voted 4-1 to sue the gallery, alleging it failed to obtain necessary permits and a certificate of occupancy for the massive outdoor artwork titled "Meditating Figure." This sculpture, created by Los Angeles artist Matt Johnson, was installed on June 27 and is part of an exhibit called "LA Monumental."
Town attorney Jake Turner stated that the structure, which he described as "melding large pieces of metal together," requires safety checks. "If we don’t take action then we are compromising the safety of the residents," Turner argued, adding that even private property must comply with local codes. The town asserts that the way the sculpture is displayed, rather than its artistic merit, is the basis for the legal action.
The artwork, comprising a dozen steel shipping containers, has drawn criticism from some local residents who have described it as a "grotesque" and "hideous" monstrosity and a "junkyard mess." Mitchel Agoos, an East Hampton resident, said the sculpture "detracts from the gorgeous landscape." Another resident, Dr. Jennifer Jablow of Southampton, commented that "Most of the sculptures out here enhance the area’s nature – not fight it."
![Matt Johnson's "Meditating Figure" made from shipping containers, with two horses grazing in a field.]( "Matt Johnson's "Meditating Figure" made from shipping containers, with two horses grazing in a field.")
Gallery owner Max Levai defended the sculpture, calling it a socioeconomic metaphor and the "reality of the daily contemporary experience." He also indicated that he had not been officially notified of the legal action and believes displaying sculptures on private property is a right, provided they are not considered structures requiring permits. The exhibit is currently slated to run through November 15, while obtaining a building permit can take up to five months.
Johnson, whose work has received critical acclaim for other installations, stated that the shipping containers, which have traveled millions of miles, served as his inspiration. He intended for "Meditating Figure" to be viewed from the road leading to the lighthouse, drawing a parallel between the historical use of horses for transport and the modern function of shipping containers. Artist Richard Sichel offered a different perspective, calling the sculpture "fun" and noting that "Art is always a statement."
