Pendant

Albert Paley, Pendant, 1973, gold, silver, copper, labradorite, moonstone, jade, glass, ivory, 22 x 8 1⁄2 x 1 1⁄2 in. (55.9 x 21.6 x 3.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1991.135, © 1973, Albert Paley

Artwork Details

Title
Pendant
Artist
Date
1973
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
22 x 8 1⁄2 x 1 1⁄2 in. (55.9 x 21.6 x 3.8 cm)
Copyright
© 1973, Albert Paley
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program
Mediums
Mediums Description
gold, silver, copper, labradorite, moonstone, jade, glass, ivory
Classifications
Object Number
1991.135
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1991.135

Artwork Description

Albert Paley sees the body as a stage for presenting his "wearable sculpture" and engineered this piece ergonomically so that it would move in direct response to the body. The large scale of Pendant dominates the female form and forces the wearer to become a dynamic element of the composition. In the context of the feminist movement of the 1970s, Pendant may be read as the transformation of a personal item into a public symbol of strength.

Works by this artist (74 items)

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Elaine Mayes, Untitled (corner pillar), gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.961, ©1971, Elaine Mayes
Untitled (corner pillar)
Artist
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Elaine Mayes, Autolandscape, Ohio, September 1971, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.53.18, © 1971, Elaine Mayes
Autolandscape, Ohio
Artist
DateSeptember 1971
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Elaine Mayes, Autolandscape, Utah, September 1971, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.53.50, © 1971, Elaine Mayes
Autolandscape, Utah
Artist
DateSeptember 1971
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Elaine Mayes, Autolandscape, Nevada, September 1971, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.53.11, © 1971, Elaine Mayes
Autolandscape, Nevada
Artist
DateSeptember 1971
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled, ca. 1945-1950, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lewis and Jean Greenblatt, 2002.86.9
Untitled
Artist
Dateca. 1945-1950
gelatin silver print
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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled, ca. 1945-1950, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lewis and Jean Greenblatt, 2002.86.7
Untitled
Artist
Dateca. 1945-1950
gelatin silver print
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Jared French, Margaret French, PaJaMa, Paul Cadmus, PaJaMa (Box A), ca. 1937, gelatin silver prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Margaret French, 1999.98.5.16
PaJaMa (Box A)
Artist
Dateca. 1937
gelatin silver prints
Not on view