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The Pyramid
The Pyramid

The Pyramid

Object NameSculpture
Artist Marian Karel (Czech, b. 1944)
Made FromGlass
Date1989
Place MadeCzechoslovakia, Prague
Techniquemold-melted, cut, ground, polished
SizeOverall H: 46.1 cm, W: 97 cm, D: 12.7 cm
Accession Number2007.3.84
Credit LineGift of the Ben W. Heineman Sr. Family
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Voices of Contemporary Glass: The Heineman Collection
On ViewBen W. Heineman Sr. Family Gallery of Contemporary Glass.
Interpretive Notes
Karel uses light, glass, and geometric forms to make illusionistic sculptures that challenge the viewer’s perceptions of space and dimension. He especially likes to work outdoors, where his constructions can interact with the environment, absorbing color and light. The Pyramid is made up of two pyramidal forms in blue and yellow glass. Karel manipulates these forms to create the shadow of a third pyramid inside the glass. If you look directly into the center of the sculpture, and then move to the right or left, the black shadow of a pyramid will become apparent. This sculpture has another surprise: as you walk past it, look for the flashing purple square.
Physical DescriptionTransparent dark blue and yellow glass; mold-melted, cut, ground. Two blue pyramidal shapes positioned with two yellow pyramidal shapes to form a larger, almost double pyramid in blue and yellow.
Provenance
Former Collection Heller Gallery - 1989
Source Ben W. Heineman Sr. Family
Object copyright© Marian Karel