Winged Arm Neckpiece

Copied Margaux Lange, Winged Arm Neckpiece, 2004, plastic and silver, 9 × 6 × 1⁄4 in. (22.9 × 15.2 × 0.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Clemmer and David Montague, 2024.5, © 2004, Margaux Lange

Artwork Details

Title
Winged Arm Neckpiece
Artist
Date
2004
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
9 × 6 × 1⁄4 in. (22.9 × 15.2 × 0.6 cm)
Copyright
© 2004, Margaux Lange
Credit Line
Gift from the collection of Clemmer and David Montague
Mediums
Mediums Description
plastic and silver
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure — fragment — arm
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
Object Number
2024.5

Artwork Description

Margaux Lange
born 1979, Glens Falls, NY
 
Winged Arm Neckpiece
2004
plastic and silver

Margaux Lange’s fascination with Barbie grew beyond childhood play and into her jewelry practice. As part of her Plastic Body series, she wired together salvaged Barbie doll arms to create Winged Arm Neckpiece, taking a once-discarded, mass-produced object and from it constructing a wearable piece of art. With such transformations, Lange examines the concept of wearing the body, on the body, challenging the idealized Barbie form and separating it piece by piece until it no longer reflects the unrealistic body type for which Barbie is known. Winged Arm Neckpiece illustrates Barbie’s influence as a pop culture icon and a source of constant inspiration to Lange’s craft.

 
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Clemmer and David Montague, 2024.5