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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

Robert Arneson

The Blessed John N. Neumann, 1976

Cy Twombly

Untitled, 1968

Helen Frankenthaler

Holocaust, 1955

Robert Mangold

Distorted Circle within a Polygon II, 1972

Andy Warhol

Race Riot, 1964

On Kawara

"Dimanche" 20 Oct. 1974, 1974

Ann Hamilton

malediction, 1991

Robert Gober

Untitled, 2000

Shimon Attie

Almstadtstrasse 5 (formerly Gendaierstrasse 24): Former Jewish residence and hat shop, ca. 1930, 1993
No Image Available

Ree Morton

Untitled (Signs of Love), 1976

Allora & Calzadilla

Land Mark (Foot Prints), 2001

Allora & Calzadilla

Land Mark (Foot Print), 2001

Joyce J. Scott

Spirit Siamese Twins, 2000-2002

Yinka Shonibare, MBE

Un Ballo in Maschera (Courtiers V), 2004

Tania Bruguera

Study for Poetic Justice, 2003

Duane Slick

Oration at Dawn, 2005

An-My Lê

29 Palms: Corporal Hoepper, 2003-2004

Liz Collins, designer

Pride dress, 2003

Bob and Roberta Smith

Tate Modern, 2008

Tina Barney

The Reflection, 1994

Guerrilla Girls

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

Guerrilla Girls

Guerrilla Girls' code of ethics for art museums., 1989

Michael Owen

Don't Tread on Me, 2011

Hank Willis Thomas

Negroes to be Sold, 2009
No Image Available

Yohji Yamamoto, design house

Kimono and dress ensemble, Autumn/Winter 1995

2x4 Inc., designer

Pause Wallcovering, 2005

Sage Sohier

Bill and Ric, with Ric's daughter Kate, San Francisco, February 1987, 1987
No Image Available

Tony Cokes

Evil, 16: Torture.Musik, 2011
No Image Available

Trevor Paglen

NSA Surveillance Base, Egelsbach, Germany, 2015
No Image Available

James Montford

Holocaust Blankets with Smallpox, 2015
No Image Available

James Casebere

Empty Room, 1994

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

Pia Camil

The little dog laughed, 2014

Nicole Eisenman

Mono Rail Over No Man's Land, 1994

David Allyn

Nicholson File Building Platter, 2015

David Allyn

Industrial Trust Building Platter, 2015

David Allyn

Municipal Maintenance Building Platter, 2015

David Allyn

General Electric Building Platter, 2015
No Image Available

Paul Graham

Broadway, 3rd June 2010, 2.10.12 pm, 2010

Jessi Reaves

Bad House Shelf, 2016

Alejandro Diaz

No Shoes, No Shirt, You're Probably Rich, 2016

Lubaina Himid

Undo the Knots of Poverty, 2011

Raul Gonzalez III

Watchalo, Papa, Watchalo, 2016

Dawoud Bey

Mathes Manafee and Cassandra Griffin, 2014

Dawoud Bey

Betty Selvage and Faith Speights, 2014

Dawoud Bey

Fred Stewart and Tyler Collins, 2014

Dawoud Bey

Mary Parker and Caela Cowan, 2014

Dawoud Bey

Braxton McKinney and Lavon Thomas, 2014

Dawoud Bey

Imani Richardson and Carolyn Mickel, 2014

Assume vivid astro focus

The ecstasy of pope benedict (curtain), 2005

Fia Backström

Socially Organized Appearance, 2009

Lothar Hempel

Werewolf, 2001

Deana Lawson

Binky and Tony Forever, 2009

Gardar Eide Einarsson

There Is No Justice, 2006
No Image Available

David Levinthal

Untitled, 1993-1994

Roberto Lugo

A Century of Black Lives Mattering, 2016

Jordan Seaberry

The Wanderer, 2015

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

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

May 4 - December 30, 2018
View Checklist PDF

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