Umbilical Cord

Cat. No. 247/VIII, variant 3

Umbilical Cord

State/Variant:
State VIII of IX, variant
Date:
2000

Themes
Figures, Motherhood & Family
Techniques
Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 10 13/16 x 8 5/16" (27.4 x 21.1 cm); sheet: 14 1/8 x 9 3/4" (35.8 x 24.8 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unpublished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.
Description:
Engraving and drypoint, with red watercolor additions
Inscription:
"Sept.1, 2000"/ RSR" right lower margin, pencil, unknown hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state VII in drypoint: both figures' hair further delineated.
Additions in red watercolor: baby's body filled in, anticipating state IX.
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
1428.2012
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Umbilical Cord

2000-2002

States
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord
Umbilical Cord

Related Works in the Catalogue

Do Not Abandon Me
Untitled, plate 1 of 14, from the portfolio, Autobiographical Series
Baby and Butterfly

Related Works in Other Mediums

I Redo (interior component), from the 3-part installation, I Do, I Undo, I Redo
Do Not Abandon Me
The Umbilical Cord