Zig-Zag Line

David LaPlantz, Zig-Zag Line, 1981, tinted and engraved aluminum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1982.12.2
David LaPlantz, Zig-Zag Line, 1981, tinted and engraved aluminum, 2 in. (5.1 cm.) wide, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1982.12.2

Artwork Details

Title
Zig-Zag Line
Date
1981
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 in. (5.1 cm.) wide
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
tinted and engraved aluminum
Classifications
Object Number
1982.12.2

Artwork Description

David LaPlantz works very quickly and rarely puts anything down on paper before heading to the workshop. In Zig-Zag Line, he tinted two pieces of aluminum with different colors, then joined them together using tiny rivets. The engraved lines on the surface of the metal resemble stitches, as if the pieces are held together by thread. This pattern, together with the wavy edges, evokes appliquéd fabric, transforming the cold, rigid metal into something that appears much easier to manipulate.

Works by this artist (61 items)

James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, found paper and soot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.27.27
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
found paper and soot
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1952, found paper, soot, and color of unknown origin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.27.47
Untitled
Dateca. 1952
found paper, soot, and color of unknown origin
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, found paper and soot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment

, 2013.27.30
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
found paper and soot
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, color of unknown origin and soot on found paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Margaret Z. Robson Collection, Gift of John E. and Douglas O. Robson, 2016.38.16
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
color of unknown origin and soot on found paper
Not on view