Arachne

Bruce Conner, Arachne, 1959, mixed media: nylon stockings, collage, cardboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin, 2005.5.12
Bruce Conner, Arachne, 1959, mixed media: nylon stockings, collage, cardboard, 65 3⁄4 x 48 3⁄4 x 4 1⁄4 in. (167.0 x 123.8 x 10.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin, 2005.5.12

Artwork Details

Title
Arachne
Artist
Date
1959
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
65 3⁄4 x 48 3⁄4 x 4 1⁄4 in. (167.0 x 123.8 x 10.7 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin
Mediums
Mediums Description
mixed media: nylon stockings, collage, cardboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Mythology — classical — Arachne
  • Object — other — sewing tool
  • Animal — insect — spider
Object Number
2005.5.12
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2005.5.12

Artwork Description

Violence and decay appear to lurk beneath suffocating webs of nylon in Bruce Conner's Arachne. This assemblage of found objects reflects the junk art and beat culture of Northern California in the 1950s. Conner's use of throwaway objects as art materials contrasts with the sunny, consumerist ethos of pop art. Titled after a character from Greek mythology, Arachne hints at, rather than illustrates, the narrative of a proud girl who wove stories of the gods' misbehavior into her cloth, boasting that she could outperform Athena, her teacher and goddess of spinners and weavers. Out of spite, Athena transformed Arachne into a spider, condemning her to weave webs in the darkness until the end of time.

Works by this artist (10 items)

View all artworks
Patrociño Barela, War, 1942, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.9
War
Artist
Date1942
carved and stained pine
On view
Patrociño Barela, Man in the Time of Solomon, ca. 1935-1943, carved juniper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.5
Man in the Time of Solomon
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1943
carved juniper
On view
Patrociño Barela, Progression in War, ca. 1935-1943, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.8
Progression in War
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1943
carved and stained pine
On view
Patrociño Barela, Saint George, ca. 1935-1943, carved juniper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.1
Saint George
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1943
carved juniper
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
William Zorach, Tragedy of the Ghetto, ca. 1950, painted pine relief, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.31
Tragedy of the Ghetto
Artist
Dateca. 1950
painted pine relief
Not on view
Patrociño Barela, War, 1942, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.9
War
Artist
Date1942
carved and stained pine
On view
Patrociño Barela, Progression in War, ca. 1935-1943, carved and stained pine, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.8
Progression in War
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1943
carved and stained pine
On view