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TL69.2017_The Wanderer_Jordan Seaberry.jpg

Jordan Seaberry, The Wanderer, 2015. Courtesy of and © Jordan Seaberry.

Introduction

The Phantom of Liberty

Contemporary Works in the RISD Museum Collection
May 4 - December 30, 2018

I see liberty as a ghost that we try to grasp . . . a misty shape that leaves us with only a wisp of vapor in our hands.
–Luis Buñuel, filmmaker

Artists, designers, and design collectives are uniquely positioned to consider the ways in which “freedom” is an elusive or even imaginary ideal in contemporary life. The museum’s broadest presentation of postwar art to date, The Phantom of Liberty presents overlapping concentrations of objects that address themes ranging from spirituality and religion to family and domestic space to the ways power and authority shape and define geography and personal experience.

These works ask numerous questions, including
What is liberty, and is it possible in a world defined by constant technological interconnectedness?

Can artistic expressions ever be considered “independent,” when they are so informed by and reliant upon historical precedents?

In what ways are different individuals allowed varying degrees of “freedom,” and why, and by whom?

Wherever possible, the artist’s own commentary has been used for the label text, providing a direct perspective on their intentions and methods. In other instances, alternative perspectives on the theme are presented.

Some viewers may find the deliberately provocative language, imagery, and concepts of some of these works difficult or upsetting.

Selected Objects

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Allora & Calzadilla

Land Mark (Foot Prints), 2001
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Allora & Calzadilla

Land Mark (Foot Print), 2001
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David Allyn

Nicholson File Building Platter, 2015
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David Allyn

Industrial Trust Building Platter, 2015
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David Allyn

Municipal Maintenance Building Platter, 2015
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David Allyn

General Electric Building Platter, 2015
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Robert Arneson

The Blessed John N. Neumann, 1976
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Shimon Attie

Almstadtstrasse 5 (formerly Gendaierstrasse 24): Former Jewish residence and hat shop, ca. 1930, 1993
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Tina Barney

The Reflection, 1994
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Fia Backström

Socially Organized Appearance, 2009
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Tania Bruguera

Study for Poetic Justice, 2003
No Image Available

James Casebere

Empty Room, 1994
No Image Available

Tony Cokes

Evil, 16: Torture.Musik, 2011
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Liz Collins, designer

Pride dress, 2003
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Alejandro Diaz

No Shoes, No Shirt, You're Probably Rich, 2016
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Gardar Eide Einarsson

There Is No Justice, 2006
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Nicole Eisenman

Mono Rail Over No Man's Land, 1994
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Helen Frankenthaler

Holocaust, 1955
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Robert Gober

Untitled, 2000
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Raul Gonzalez III

Watchalo, Papa, Watchalo, 2016
No Image Available

Paul Graham

Broadway, 3rd June 2010, 2.10.12 pm, 2010
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Lothar Hempel

Werewolf, 2001
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Lubaina Himid

Undo the Knots of Poverty, 2011
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On Kawara

"Dimanche" 20 Oct. 1974, 1974
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Deana Lawson

Binky and Tony Forever, 2009
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An-My Lê

29 Palms: Corporal Hoepper, 2003-2004
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Roberto Lugo

A Century of Black Lives Mattering, 2016
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Robert Mangold

Distorted Circle within a Polygon II, 1972
No Image Available

James Montford

Holocaust Blankets with Smallpox, 2015
No Image Available

Ree Morton

Untitled (Signs of Love), 1976
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Michael Owen

Don't Tread on Me, 2011
No Image Available

Trevor Paglen

NSA Surveillance Base, Egelsbach, Germany, 2015
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Jessi Reaves

Bad House Shelf, 2016
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Joyce J. Scott

Spirit Siamese Twins, 2000-2002
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Jordan Seaberry

The Wanderer, 2015
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Yinka Shonibare, MBE

Un Ballo in Maschera (Courtiers V), 2004
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Duane Slick

Oration at Dawn, 2005
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Sage Sohier

Bill and Ric, with Ric's daughter Kate, San Francisco, February 1987, 1987
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Cy Twombly

Untitled, 1968
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Andy Warhol

Race Riot, 1964
No Image Available

Yohji Yamamoto, design house

Kimono and dress ensemble, Autumn/Winter 1995
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Assume vivid astro focus

The ecstasy of pope benedict (curtain), 2005
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Ann Hamilton

malediction, 1991
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Hank Willis Thomas

Negroes to be Sold, 2009
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2x4 Inc., designer

Pause Wallcovering, 2005
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Dawoud Bey

Mathes Manafee and Cassandra Griffin, 2014
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Dawoud Bey

Betty Selvage and Faith Speights, 2014
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Dawoud Bey

Fred Stewart and Tyler Collins, 2014
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Dawoud Bey

Mary Parker and Caela Cowan, 2014
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Dawoud Bey

Braxton McKinney and Lavon Thomas, 2014
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Dawoud Bey

Imani Richardson and Carolyn Mickel, 2014
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Pia Camil

The little dog laughed, 2014
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Guerrilla Girls

When racism and sexism are no longer fashionable, what will your art collection be worth, 1989
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Guerrilla Girls

Guerrilla Girls' code of ethics for art museums., 1989
No Image Available

David Levinthal

Untitled, 1993-1994
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Walead Beshty

24-inch Copper (FedEx® Large Kraft Box ©2008 FEDEX 330510 REV 6/08 GP), Standard Overnight, Los Angeles–New York trk#798442758011, March 3–4, 2010. . ., 2010
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Bob and Roberta Smith

Tate Modern, 2008

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

The Phantom of Liberty : Contemporary Works in the RISD Museum Collection

May 4 - December 30, 2018
View Checklist PDF

RISD Museum

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