How do artists use concrete to challenge notions of permanence in art?

Concrete, often associated with durability and permanence, has become a medium for artists to subvert expectations and explore the fluidity of time. By incorporating cracks, erosion, and weathering into their work, contemporary creators like Rachel Whiteread and Thomas Demand highlight the material’s vulnerability. These artists manipulate concrete’s rigid reputation to reflect themes of decay, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Some even embed organic elements, allowing their pieces to evolve unpredictably. Through these methods, concrete art becomes a paradox—simultaneously solid and transient—inviting viewers to reconsider what truly lasts in art and life. The interplay between industrial materiality and fragility challenges conventional ideals of permanence, making concrete a powerful tool for artistic critique.