Cat. No. 247/VI, variant 2
Umbilical Cord
- State/Variant:
- State VI of IX, variant
- Date:
- 2000
- Themes
- Figures, Motherhood & Family
- Techniques
- Drypoint, Engraving
- Support:
- Smooth, wove Hahnemühle paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 10 13/16 x 8 5/16" (27.5 x 21.1 cm); sheet: 15 7/16 x 11 1/8" (39.2 x 28.2 cm)
- Signature:
- Not signed
- Publisher
- Harlan & Weaver
- Printer
- Harlan & Weaver
- Edition:
- 2 known variant impressions of state VI
- Edition Information:
- Proof before the editioning of state VIII on fabric.
- Impression:
- Not numbered
- Background:
- "Umbilical Cord" relates to a monumental installation for the inaugural exhibition in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall in 2000. The installation consisted of "Maman," a 30' steel sculpture of a spider, and "I Do, I Undo, I Redo," three steel towers ranging in height from 42' to 57'. Each tower contained a different sculpture of a mother and child inside a bell jar. The sculpture in the tower titled, "I Redo," featured a mother and child attached by an umbilical cord. Bourgeois also made another related print called "Do Not Abandon Me," 2000, which includes a similar mother and child.
- Description:
- Engraving and drypoint, with red stencil, and red, blue and gray watercolor additions
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from state V in drypoint: female figure's hair further delineated.
Additions by stencil: female figure's body filled in.
Additions in red watercolor: baby's body filled in, anticipating state IX.
Additions in blue watercolor: oval border delineated, anticipating state IX.
Additions in gray watercolor: female figure's and baby's hair reinforced, anticipating state IX. - MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 1426.2012
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Open to compare works
Select a work in the diagram below
State VI of IX, variant
2000
A
B
Umbilical Cord
2000-2002
States
Related Works in the Catalogue
Related Works in Other Mediums
Not in MoMA's Collection
I Redo (interior component), from the 3-part installation, I Do, I Undo, I Redo
1999-2000
Not in MoMA's Collection
I Redo (interior component), from the 3-part installation, I Do, I Undo, I Redo
1999-2000
Medium: Steel, glass, wood, and tapestry
Dimensions: overall: 19 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 12 1/2" (49.5 × 31.8 × 31.8 cm); "I Redo" overall (not shown): 57' 4" x 29' 5" x 19' 7" (17.5 x 9 x 6 m)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
Do Not Abandon Me
1999
Not in MoMA's Collection
Do Not Abandon Me
1999
Medium: Fabric and thread
Dimensions: overall: 4 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 8 1/2" (12.1 x 52.1 x 21.6 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
The Umbilical Cord
2008
Not in MoMA's Collection
The Umbilical Cord
2008
Medium: Gouache on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 12 1/4 x 10" (31.1 x 25.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY