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Lisa Gralnick, Red Circle/White Ground, 1996, hand-fabricated, hammered, and soldered sterling silver and 18k gold with paper, overall: 20 x 9 1⁄2 x 1⁄2 in. (50.8 x 24.1 x 1.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1997.58A-D
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Red Circle/White Ground
- Artist
- Date
- 1996
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- overall: 20 x 9 1⁄2 x 1⁄2 in. (50.8 x 24.1 x 1.2 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of the James Renwick Alliance on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery
- Mediums Description
- hand-fabricated, hammered, and soldered sterling silver and 18k gold with paper
- Classifications
- Keywords
- Object — written matter
- Object Number
- 1997.58A-D
Artwork Description
Lisa Gralnick made Red Circle/White Ground to comment on the artistic process and the role of language in interpreting a work of art. The title comes from an activity she conducts with her art students, in which a series of identical works are given different titles, and therefore different meanings. As in Gralnick's teaching activity, words and labels determine how the piece is perceived and interpreted. For example, the inkwell is labeled "H2O," while the gold pen refers to language, "the ultimate tool of communication," and the blood and handwriting represent the maker/communicator. All of the pieces of the necklace were handmade by the artist.