Image

RISDM 2003-119.tif
RISDM 2003-119 silho.tif
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Dave Cole

American Flag (Toy Soldiers #12)

Description

Maker

Dave Cole (American, b. 1975 in New Hampshire)

Title

American Flag (Toy Soldiers #12)

Year

August 2002

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

mixed media, panel (wood), acrylic

Dimensions

46 x 83.5 x 9.2 cm (18 1/8 x 32 7/8 x 3 5/8 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Signature: Signed on back in marker

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Dr. Armand Versaci

Object Number

2003.119

Type

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Former Glory
Jul 27, 2018 – Jan 20, 2019

Label copy

In this piece, hundreds of green toy soldiers have been melted and painted in red, white, and blue acrylic. They homogenize so completely as to become the flag itself. After volunteering at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center towers collapsed on 9/11, Providence sculptor Dave Cole began to create flag sculptures composed of plastic toy soldiers. Soldiers are equated with patriotism, and here the blended figurines recall ideas of collectivity prominent in nationalist rhetoric. The presence of “play” guns suggests the ongoing, devastating impact of American counterterrorism initiatives.

Everyday Things
Contemporary Works from the Collection
Apr 13, 2012 – Feb 24, 2013

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This object is in copyright

Tombstone

Dave Cole (American, b. 1975 in New Hampshire)
American Flag (Toy Soldiers #12), August 2002
Wood panel, plastic soldiers, and acrylic paint
46 x 83.5 x 9.2 cm (18 1/8 x 32 7/8 x 3 5/8 inches)
Gift of Dr. Armand Versaci 2003.119

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