Object Label

Using satire and a subtle sarcasm, Circus Equipment questions the meaning and assumed uses of everyday objects. Annette Lemieux takes stools designed for performances by circus animals and turns them into minimal sculpture, evoking the soapbox as an impromptu stage for ad hoc political speeches. The artist asks: who is the trained animal here—the artist? the political aspirant? the curator?—and who is directing the performance?

Caption

Annette Lemieux (American, born 1957). Circus Equipment, 2004. Milk paint on wood, a: 8 1/8 x 15 x 15 in. (20.6 x 38.1 x 38.1 cm) b: 16 1/8 x 30 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (41 x 77.5 x 77.5 cm) c: 24 1/8 x 42 1/2 x 42 1/2 in. (61.3 x 108 x 108 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Timothy and Karin Greenfield-Sanders, 2010.57a-c.

Title

Circus Equipment

Date

2004

Medium

Milk paint on wood

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

a: 8 1/8 x 15 x 15 in. (20.6 x 38.1 x 38.1 cm) b: 16 1/8 x 30 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (41 x 77.5 x 77.5 cm) c: 24 1/8 x 42 1/2 x 42 1/2 in. (61.3 x 108 x 108 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Timothy and Karin Greenfield-Sanders

Accession Number

2010.57a-c

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