Window Seat #1

Object NameSculpture

Maker Bruce Chao (b. 1948)

Made FromSheet glass, steel

Date1987

Place MadeUnited States, MA, Rehoboth

TechniqueAcid-etched sheet glass, painted steel

SizeOverall H: 110 cm, W: 43.1 cm

Accession Number92.4.149

Curatorial Area(s)

Postwar and Contemporary

Exhibitions

Seeing Glass

Faculty Biannual

On ViewBen W. Heineman Sr. Family Gallery of Contemporary Glass.

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Like the other chairs that are displayed on this platform, this rocking chair is not meant for sitting. Made of steel and etched sheets of glass, it provides a "window" onto memories that a rocking chair might encourage, such as memories of being rocked by a parent or grandparent. The title is a play on words, but also a literal description of the object itself.

Physical DescriptionColorless non-lead glass (partially acid-etched appearing white), steel painted light gray, gray glazing compound; commercial window glass, steel, glazing compound, powder enamel (baked epoxy paint); arc-welded mild steel, sandblasted, powder enameled (Teknikote), glazed (DAP 33), acid-etched (Velvet Etching Cream, McKay Chemical Company) window glass. Life-size rocking chair sculpture formed from narrow flat steel lengths assembled in grid of rectangular panels (some with one curved side) of varying sizes, each panel bevel-glazed with a pane of colorless window glass acid-etched (appearing frosted) in broad abstract strokes; tall back comprised of two tiers of vertical rectangles topped with an arched fan-shaped top row, back meets flat paned seat at right angle, each arm/side comprised of a solid double vertical row of panels with base edge resting on a narrow steel rocker, sides and seat formed of smaller rectangles; one large bracing panel extends at a right-angle from underside of seat and joins the two sides (this large panel is not acid-etched); all steel painted light gray, glazing compound is light gray; signature (not located): "B. Chao '87".
Provenance

Source Bruce Chao (b. 1948) - 1992-01-20