Slither.walk.fly

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Vivian Beer, Slither.walk.fly, 2008, steel and automotive paint, 389545 34 in. (96.5241.3116.2 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
Date
2008
Dimensions
389545 34 in. (96.5241.3116.2 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
Object Number
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.

Works by this artist (7 items)

William Hunter, Golden Shell, 1994, satinwood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.24, © 1994, William Hunter
Golden Shell
Date1994
satinwood
Not on view
William Hunter, Visions, 1987, cocobolo, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason, 1991.169.4, © 1987, William Hunter
Visions
Date1987
cocobolo
Not on view
Marianne Hunter, William Hunter, Africa, 1990, satinwood, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, fine silver, enamel, and rutilated quartz, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.27A-C, © 1990, William and Marianne Hunter
Africa
Date1990
satinwood, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, fine silver, enamel, and rutilated quartz
Not on view
Marianne Hunter, William Hunter, Evening Blossom, 1989, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, enamel, amethyst, and charoite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.26A-C, © 1989, William and Marianne Hunter
Evening Blossom
Date1989
ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, enamel, amethyst, and charoite
Not on view

Related Books

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40 Under 40: Craft Futures
40 Under 40: Craft Futures examines the expanding role of the handmade in contemporary culture through the work of the next generation of artists. Organized in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian's branch museum for American craft and decorative arts, this project gathers forty makers born since 1972, the year the Renwick opened to the public. Apparent are rapidly evolving notions of craft, ranging from traditional media, such as ceramics and jewelry, to fields as varied as sculpture, industrial design, performance and installation art, fashion design, sustainable manufacturing, and mathematics.

More Artworks from the Collection

Gene Pozzesi, Untitled, ca. 1996, Gabon ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.47
Untitled
Dateca. 1996
Gabon ebony
Not on view
Ron Fleming, Black Lotus, 1996, ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.16
Black Lotus
Date1996
ebony
Not on view
Frederick A. Miller, Dish, 1960, hammered and engraved sterling silver with ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor in memory of Dorothy S. Payer and in honor of Frederick A. Miller, 1992.107.2
Dish
Date1960
hammered and engraved sterling silver with ebony
On view
Earl Pardon, Box Ring, ca. 1960, sterling silver, ebony, ivory and amethyst, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 2003.20
Box Ring
Dateca. 1960
sterling silver, ebony, ivory and amethyst
Not on view