Rainy Day Canapé

Currently not on view

Rainy Day Canapé

1970

Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012)

When asked about her work, the American Surrealist artist Dorothea Tanning explained: "This terribly non-mainstream piece was, more than anything, a challenge to myself, a bet that I made with myself, and only me, that I would give real physical life to a bunch of tweeds and stuffing. Now, when you look at its triumphant? paroxysmic? despairing? physicality you are not quite sure that materials are only tools, that the inert is the inert, that life is something else. But one thing you know: that like you and me and everyone else, this Rainy-Day Canapé will not live for centuries. But how could we care?"

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Rainy Day Canapé

Date:

1970

Artist:

Dorothea Tanning (American, 1910–2012)

Medium:

Upholstered wood sofa with wool, polyester and rayon plainweave cover, wool batting, cardboard, and ping-pong balls

Dimensions:

31 1/2 x 57 x 33 inches (80 x 144.8 x 83.8 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

125th Anniversary Acquisition. Gift of an anonymous donor, 2002

Accession Number:

2002-86-1

Geography:

Made in France, Europe

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Currently not on view