Bird bag
Artist: Ted Noten (Dutch)
Date: 2013
Dimensions:
H: 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm); W: 10 1/2 in.; Depth: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
Medium: Cast acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Purchased with funds given by Edith Rathbun
Object number: 2014.10
DescriptionSculpture in the form of a life-size lady’s handbag composed of cast acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA), with straight sides, an indented bottom, and rounded corners. A braided leather handle with brass fittings is attached to the sides. The acrylic body is enclosing a taxidermy Indonesian starling (sturnus burmannicus). The bird clutches a jumble of shiny jewelry, including a men’s Seiko watch, brooches, an earring, rings, and jewelry fragments.
Sculpture in the form of a life-size lady’s handbag composed of cast acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA), with straight sides, an indented bottom, and rounded corners. A braided leather handle with brass fittings sourced from a new Italian handbag is attached to the sides with the original rivets. The acrylic body is enclosing a taxidermy Indonesian starling (sturnus burmannicus). The bird clutches a jumble of shiny jewelry, including a men’s Seiko watch, brooches, an earring, rings, and jewelry fragments found at an antique market in London. The acrylic is poured in layers in a semi-liquid state - the objects are placed into the acrylic between layers, forming a rectangular block. The acrylic is cured under immense pressure and heat in an industrial autoclave in order to remove any air bubbles, and a slow cooling and further annealing process assures that the object is rendered stable and will not crack. Once cast, the acrylic piece is shaped by cutting, filing, sanding and eventually polishing it to the final form. The bird’s head protruding from the bag is replaced with a 3-D printed form cast in silver that is 24 karat gold-plated (vermeil), then glued to the top of the bag. The bag’s functional handle fittings are also gold-plated and mounted by drilling, tapping and screwing into the acrylic.
Sculpture in the form of a life-size lady’s handbag composed of cast acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA), with straight sides, an indented bottom, and rounded corners. A braided leather handle with brass fittings sourced from a new Italian handbag is attached to the sides with the original rivets. The acrylic body is enclosing a taxidermy Indonesian starling (sturnus burmannicus). The bird clutches a jumble of shiny jewelry, including a men’s Seiko watch, brooches, an earring, rings, and jewelry fragments found at an antique market in London. The acrylic is poured in layers in a semi-liquid state - the objects are placed into the acrylic between layers, forming a rectangular block. The acrylic is cured under immense pressure and heat in an industrial autoclave in order to remove any air bubbles, and a slow cooling and further annealing process assures that the object is rendered stable and will not crack. Once cast, the acrylic piece is shaped by cutting, filing, sanding and eventually polishing it to the final form. The bird’s head protruding from the bag is replaced with a 3-D printed form cast in silver that is 24 karat gold-plated (vermeil), then glued to the top of the bag. The bag’s functional handle fittings are also gold-plated and mounted by drilling, tapping and screwing into the acrylic.
Not on view
In Collection(s)