Slither.walk.fly

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Vivian Beer, Slither.walk.fly, 2008, steel and automotive paint, 38 x 95 x 45 ³⁄₄ in. (96.5 x 241.3 x 116.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Leon and Miriam Ellsworth, Brenda Erickson, Jere Gibber and J.G. Harrington, and David and Clemmer Montague in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2013.22, © 2008, Vivian Beer. Photo by Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia

Artwork Details

Title: Slither.walk.fly
Artist: Vivian Beer
Date: 2008
Location: Renwick Gallery
/
2nd Floor
/
Room 206
Dimensions: 38 x 95 x 45 ³⁄₄ in. (96.5 x 241.3 x 116.2 cm)
Copyright: © 2008, Vivian Beer. Photo by Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia
Credit Line: Gift of Leon and Miriam Ellsworth, Brenda Erickson, Jere Gibber and J.G. Harrington, and David and Clemmer Montague in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery
Mediums Description: steel and automotive paint
Classifications: Decorative Arts
Furniture
Object Number: 2013.22
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2013.22

Artwork Description

With a fusion of seemingly contrasting ideas—masculine and feminine, historical and contemporary, functional and decorative—Vivian Beer transforms steel from a rigid raw material into sensuous, curving furniture. Though abstracted, her pieces reference forms from nature and culture that embody beauty and power. Slither.walk.fly, which alludes to muscle cars and animal tailfeathers, looks like it could be ridden rather than simply used as a seat. As with many of her works, the impression of movement is both seductive and slightly intimidating.

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