LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Alternate Title:

Untitled (Chair and Three Mirrors)

Themes:

Objects

Techniques:

Other

Description:

Hologram

Dimensions:

13 × 11" (33 × 27.9 cm)

Signature:

"LB" right lower corner on back of plate.

Edition:

23; plus 2 P.P.

Impression:

"20" right lower corner on back of plate.

Edition Information:

While most series in the edition of 23 must be installed together, those numbered 1/23, 2/23, 5/23, 22/23, and 23/23 may be separated and shown individually.

The back of each plate is engraved with the artist's initials, followed by the impression number in parentheses, followed by the sequence of the plate within the series. i.e. LB(1)1.

In 1998, an edition of 27, plus 6 A.P. and 2 P.P. was announced. Ultimately, fewer were realized.

Background:

Bourgeois was approached by Archival Masterplate Collection LLC (formerly known as C Project) for this edition. At the time, Bourgeois was working on a series of small steel sculptures related to the monumental 3-part installation "I Do, I Undo, I Redo" from the inaugural exhibition at Tate Modern's Turbine Hall (see Related Works in Other Mediums below). The holograms were made from images of the small sculptures.

The edition was originally produced on a defective film base that deteriorated over time. Archival Masterplate Collection LLC worked with Matthew Schreiber Studio to reproduce the edition from the original master plates. The resulting edition does not have the same technical issues because it is produced on glass, which also results in sharper, more three-dimensional holograms.

Installation Remarks:

When installed, the holograms hang like pictures but require special red lighting. Each hologram requires its own light source and must be lit at a specific angle. There should be at least 12" of space between each hologram. A dark gray wall is also recommended. The series comes with a manual for installation and storage. For additional technical information, Matthew Schreiber should be contacted.

Other Remarks:

According to the artist's assistant Jerry Gorovoy, the imagery of chairs seen throughout the hologram series may have been influenced by Bourgeois's father and his antique furniture business. The bed stems not only from its symbolic resonance but also from Bourgeois's interest in its geometric and architectural forms. Both motifs appear in Bourgeois's prints, drawings, and sculptures. The artist even included beds and chairs, among other found objects, in various large-scale installations.

MoMA Accession Number:

171.2018.7

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY