Cat. No. 247/VIII, variant 1
Umbilical Cord
- State/Variant:
- State VIII of IX, variant
- Date:
- 2000
- Themes
- Figures, Motherhood & Family
- Techniques
- Drypoint, Engraving
- Support:
- Smooth, thick wove paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 10 7/8 x 8 7/16" (27.7 x 21.5 cm); sheet: 14 3/4 x 9 1/2" (37.5 x 24.2 cm)
- Signature:
- Not signed
- Publisher
- unpublished
- Printer
- Harlan & Weaver
- Edition:
- 3 known variant impressions of state VIII
- 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.
- Curatorial Remarks:
- The red hand coloring is notably flat in this impression, suggesting that a stencil was used and the ink was rolled on, as was done for the state VI impressions. MoMA's Conservation Department has confirmed that the red ink was applied by hand and not through a stencil.
- Description:
- Engraving and drypoint, with red ink and blue watercolor additions
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from state VII in drypoint: both figures' hair further delineated.
Additions in red watercolor: female figure's body filled in; baby's body filled in, anticipating state IX.
Additions in blue watercolor: oval border slightly delineated, anticipating state IX. - MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 1429.2012
State VIII of IX, variant
2000
Umbilical Cord
2000-2002
State I of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State II of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State III of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State IV of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State V of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VI of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VI of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VII of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VII of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VIII of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VIII of IX, variant<br/>
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VIII of IX, variant
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State VIII of IX
2000
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2000
State IX of IX
2002
<i>Umbilical Cord</i>
2002
Related Works in the Catalogue
Do Not Abandon Me
State VII of VII
2000
<i>Do Not Abandon Me</i>
2000
Untitled, plate 1 of 14, from the portfolio, Autobiographical Series
State III of III
1994
Untitled, plate 1 of 14, from the portfolio,<i> Autobiographical Series</i>
1994
Baby and Butterfly
State II of II
2007
<i>Baby and Butterfly</i>
2007
Related Works in Other Mediums
I Redo (interior component), from the 3-part installation, I Do, I Undo, I Redo
1999-2000
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
Do Not Abandon Me
1999
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
The Umbilical Cord
2008
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