Square Dumb Bells

Man Ray, Square Dumb Bells, 1944 or 1945, cast bronze, parts A and B: 9 ³⁄₈ x 1 ⁷⁄₈ x 1 ⁷⁄₈ in. (23.7 x 4.7 x 4.7 cm) each, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.17A-B

Artwork Details

Title: Square Dumb Bells
Artist: Man Ray
Date: 1944 or 1945
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
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Luce Foundation Center
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4th Floor
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46B
Dimensions: parts A and B: 9 ³⁄₈ x 1 ⁷⁄₈ x 1 ⁷⁄₈ in. (23.7 x 4.7 x 4.7 cm) each
Credit Line: Gift of Juliet Man Ray
Mediums: bronze
Mediums Description: cast bronze
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Object — toy — sports equipment
Object Number: 1983.105.17A-B
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1983.105.17A-B

Artwork Description

Man Ray enjoyed questioning the function of everyday objects. This piece displays two weightlifting dumbbells as found objects or “readymades.” The object and the title express two contradictions: Dumb can mean speechless or silent and so the Dumb Bell cannot ring, while the dumbbells cannot be lifted because they have become objects of art.