Dear Friends,
As some of you know, I have been making an ongoing sculpture, "Fallen," which I began in the Fall of 2004. When the piece was first shown at Galerie Lelong in March of 2005, the accompanying wall text read: "Each unique handmade leaf has been inscribed by the artist with the name of a US soldier killed in the war in Iraq. This exhibition begins with 1511 leaves."
The Whitney Museum of American Art acquired this piece in the summer of 2006 with the understanding that it is an ongoing work, that is, I will continue to make a leaf for each soldier.
The piece is now on exhibit at the Whitney Museum in a show of recent acquisitions entitled "Two Years." This exhibition of the piece opened with 3786 leaves. I will add to it monthly. These leaves are made of paper, digital printing, paint, matt medium and fiberglass. They are based on real leaves I have gathered from 14 different states in the Autumns of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
I really hope that you can go to the Whitney, see the piece and help me spread the word. Please see a detail of the piece below. For additional details and views of the whole piece, please visit
Jane Hammond | Artist
5 comments:
This is an extraordinary work - congratulations Jane! It is beautiful from a distance - each leaf looks absolutely real in terms of design and consistency and they make an amazing Autumn 'rug' for the eye. Their number has grown so that they cover the ground like a carpet
Meanwhile, on close viewing, the names of over 3,000 young men and women who have died in the Iraq, each handwritten, one name per leaf, is horrifying - they've fallen, like leaves from the nurturing trees, and have a temporary respite lying on the ground before winter comes and they are covered with snow.
Like the best works of art - it seduces your eye to linger and come closer, rewards extended close viewing, and then lingers in your memory - calling forward multiple personal associations- long after you've left.
Jane, if only I could have put this as beautifully as Barbara. It is such a moving piece and I am so glad you did it. YOu have become the voice of the peole who no longer can speak. At least someone cares that they have fallen and has taken the time to honor them.
LOve,Sunny
It is astonishing to see an artist transform the death of over 3,000 men and women into an arm chair for the eyes. Is nice to know that in America we can remain so comfortably removed from our wars abroad that the cost in life can be made into an object for our delectation.
I hope you enjoy my blog and your minor celebrity.
http://pataphysicalcollage.blogspot.com/2007/12/fallen.html
Do you get permission from their families to exploit their sacrifice in this manner? Many families resent people using their soldiers for personal gain.
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