Artists harness the duality of metal—its strength and vulnerability—to explore profound themes of endurance and transience. Through oxidation, weathering, and deliberate deformation, sculptors transform rigid materials into narratives of temporal fragility. Works like Richard Serra's steel monoliths embody permanence, while pieces incorporating rust or kinetic elements evoke decay and movement. The contrast between metal's longevity and its susceptibility to environmental forces mirrors human resilience amid life's impermanence. Contemporary creators often juxtapose polished surfaces with corroded sections, visually articulating the tension between survival and surrender. By manipulating metallic textures and patinas, they create tactile metaphors for aging, memory, and the passage of time—inviting viewers to contemplate existence through the lens of industrial materials reimagined as poetic statements.