Ship Caterpillar

Tatyana Zhurkov, Ship Caterpillar, 1998, mixed media: plastic, Venetian glass, beads, and porcelain, 10 x 25 1⁄4 x 7 7⁄8 in. (25.5 x 64.0 x 20.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Norman H. Volk, 1999.88, © 1998, Tatyana Zhurkov

Artwork Details

Title
Ship Caterpillar
Artist
Date
1998
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
10 x 25 1⁄4 x 7 7⁄8 in. (25.5 x 64.0 x 20.0 cm.)
Copyright
© 1998, Tatyana Zhurkov
Credit Line
Gift of Norman H. Volk
Mediums
Mediums Description
mixed media: plastic, Venetian glass, beads, and porcelain
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — head
  • Fantasy
Object Number
1999.88
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1999.88

Artwork Description

Ship Caterpillar is named for the legend of the Flying Dutchman, which tells of a ghost ship doomed to sail forever in search of a fragment of the True Cross to redeem the sins of man. A porcelain head at the front of the piece resembles a ship's figurehead, lending guidance and protection. Artificial coral, representing the sea, was used for the hands and oars, and layers of plastic wings symbolize the ship's sails. When the viewer holds this piece, turning it this way and that, the tubes filled with beads imitate the gentle sound of waves.

Works by this artist (132 items)

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Man Ray, Fisherman's Idol, cast 1973, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.7
Fisherman’s Idol
Artist
Datecast 1973
bronze
On view
Man Ray, Its Another Spring, 1961, mixed media: metal spring, ivory ball, and wooden cigar box, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.6
Its Another Spring
Artist
Date1961
mixed media: metal spring, ivory ball, and wooden cigar box
On view
Man Ray, Le Voyeur, 1965, wooden cigar box with inserted door lens, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.4
Le Voyeur
Artist
Date1965
wooden cigar box with inserted door lens
On view
Man Ray, Square Dumb Bells, 1944 or 1945, cast bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.17A-B
Square Dumb Bells
Artist
Date1944 or 1945
cast bronze
On view

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