Brooklyn Museum: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: The Dinner Party

19:52 07/15/2008

this is a monumental work of art that every woman should view.

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The Dinner Party

Artist: Judy Chicago, American, born 1939
Medium: Ceramic, porcelain, textile
Place Made: USA
Dates: 1974-1979
Dimensions: 576 x 576 in. (1463 x 1463 cm)
Collections: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
Museum Location: This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor
Accession Number: 2002.10
Credit Line: Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation
Image: Installation, 2002.10_DIG_E2007_Dinner_Party_05_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

Catalogue Description: Work consists of 39 dinner place settings of porcelain flatware (fork, knife and spoon), porcelain chalice, and decorated porcelain plate. Each setting is laid out on a separate embroidered textile runner. Thirteen place settings are on each side (48 feet long) of a triangular table draped with a white felt cloth, with a triangular millennium runner at each of three corners. Each of the settings represents one of thirty-nine historically significant women. The table sits on a floor of 2304 porcelain triangular tiles (in 129 units) inscribed with the names of 999 significant women. The work is introduced by 6 hanging banners woven in the traditional French Aubusson tapestry technique. These banners and the work itself "express the belief and hope that once reverence for the feminine is reestablished on Earth, a balance will be restored to human existence and 'Everywhere will be Eden once again'." Adjacent to the work in the Brooklyn Museum installation hang 7 photographic reproductions of the original Heritage Panels. The accompanying 3 Acknowledgement Panels are reproduced on the Museum's website. All the elements necessary for the installation of the floor and table including 36 ceramic table leg sleeves were designed and fabricated for the work. The lighting and guard rail that came with the work are in the domain of the Design Department and have been replaced for reinstallation in a permanent space.