Dimensjonsten

Dimensjonsten is an abstract sculpture created by Norwegian artist Reidar Finsrud, first exhibited in 2011. The work is a massive granite slab weighing over 300,000 kilograms, measuring approximately 88 meters in length, with a width of about 5 meters.

The sculpture is intended to represent the measurement of time, with each hole drilled into the stone intended to signify a minute elapsed. However, Finsrud has stated that the true meaning of the work remains open to interpretation, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions about the significance of the piece.

Located in Oslo, Norway, the Dimensjonsten is positioned along the subway system's operational route, allowing thousands of people to pass under its impressive structure daily. This strategic placement highlights the interaction between the artwork and its surroundings.

Since its installation, the sculpture has garnered considerable attention. Its unique design and deliberate choice of location have made it a notable example of modern public art, one that embodies concepts of permanence and temporality in its unyielding form. Dimensjonsten's test of endurance – both as an artistic piece and a structural reinforcement – remains a characteristic feature of this notable example of large-scale installation art.

Despite being a somewhat anomalous example of engineering within the sphere of art, Dimensjonsten has played a role in perceptions on place and the relationships between form and function in the creation of urban spaces.