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Harry Kramer
German
(1925–1997)
Untitled
circa 1960
Iron wire with pulleys, gears, and motor
35 x 45 x 25 in.
Gift of the Kathryn C. Wanlass Foundation
2010.44
A man of many talents with a rich and varied history, Harry Kramer was successively a hairdresser, actor, soldier, prisoner of war, butler, dancer, puppeteer, and artist. Untitled (c. 1960) is one in his Automobile Sculptures series, which he began to create in 1953. In 1964 these kinetic sculptures attracted considerable attention at Documenta 3 in Kassel, Germany.
Interest aroused, galleries on both coasts of the United States mounted Kramer shows, and the city of Las Vegas contracted for a public installation. This piece sports a welded wire web vaguely resembling an automobile in shape. Inside the form, pulleys and belts are suspended and motorized to perform an apparently meaningless task, endlessly revolving but never moving the shell. This mechanical and repetitive ballet with its droning sound was, according to Kramer, “intended to disturb and irritate” in its “constant and endless restlessness.” Plastic art is here morphing into performing art: the show business of the senseless and unreal.
George Wanlass
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Collecting on the Edge Part I , 9/15/2018 - 12/15/2018
- Collecting on the Edge , 9/15/2018 - 5/4/2019
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