Floating Structure

Claire Falkenstein, Floating Structure, 1958-1959, cut and brazed iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Susan Morse Hilles, 1977.2.1
Claire Falkenstein, Floating Structure, 1958-1959, cut and brazed iron, 30 1⁄4 x 50 3⁄4 x 17 1⁄2 in. (76.8 x 128.9 x 44.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Susan Morse Hilles, 1977.2.1

Artwork Details

Title
Floating Structure
Artist
Date
1958-1959
Location
Dimensions
30 1⁄4 x 50 3⁄4 x 17 1⁄2 in. (76.8 x 128.9 x 44.4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Susan Morse Hilles
Mediums
Mediums Description
cut and brazed iron
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1977.2.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1977.2.1

Artwork Description

Claire Falkenstein learned metalwork during her first few years in Paris. She developed the technique of bending and welding iron to create small pieces of jewelry. This process inspired Falkenstein to create larger sculptures that would often be suspended from the ceiling, emphasizing the space contained within them. The rough pieces of brazed iron in Floating Structure resemble a tangle of dry leaves and broken branches.

Works by this artist (36 items)

View all artworks
Claire Falkenstein, Fertility, 1941, polychromed ash, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Claire Falkenstein McCarthy Trust, 1998.24.1
Fertility
Artist
Date1941
polychromed ash
On view
Claire Falkenstein, Baseball Bat, 1941, polychromed ash, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Claire Falkenstein McCarthy Trust, 1998.24.2
Baseball Bat
Artist
Date1941
polychromed ash
On view
Claire Falkenstein, Floating Structure, 1958-1959, cut and brazed iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Susan Morse Hilles, 1977.2.1
Floating Structure
Artist
Date1958-1959
cut and brazed iron
On view
Claire Falkenstein, Envelope, 1958, steel wire assemblage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1981.109.6
Envelope
Artist
Date1958
steel wire assemblage
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Alexander Calder, Gwenfritz, ca. 1968, iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, 1969.116
Gwenfritz
Artist
Dateca. 1968
iron
On view
David Smith, Reclining Figure, 1935, iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Samuel G. Rose and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.6
Reclining Figure
Artist
Date1935
iron
Not on view
Leroy Howell, Sucker Decoy, ca. 1940s, carved, incised, and painted wood; tinned iron sheet; ferrous wire; and lead weight, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alastair B. Martin, 1999.67.5
Sucker Decoy
Artist
Dateca. 1940s
carved, incised, and painted wood; tinned iron sheet; ferrous wire; and lead weight
On view
Tom Young, Fish Decoy, 20th century, carved wood, galvanized iron sheet, ferrous eye hook, and lead weight, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alastair B. Martin, 1999.67.12
Fish Decoy
Artist
Date20th century
carved wood, galvanized iron sheet, ferrous eye hook, and lead weight
On view