Falling Man
“Falling Man”, 1985
Papier-mâché, acrylic Lifesize This piece was destroyed during a studio move along with a number of others. Originally, Falling Man was conceived as the flying man, but when executed, he looked more falling than flying. When we think of flying, images of Superman, birds, angels and other mythological beings or beasts are our immediate reference. I wanted to bring that down to a more individualized level by making a portrait of a friend flying. I had observed that among many couples I knew, one partner was like a kite – unfettered, blowing in the breeze – while the other partner “held the string,” that is, one person was more grounded in reality. I intended to produce a series of life-size couples in papier-mâché, but only made this one “flyer.” I submitted Falling Man for a group show at DART Gallery in Chicago, but after he was installed into the ceiling above eye level, the gallery director had a change of heart, and asked for him to be removed and replaced by a drawing. The explanation was “we like him, but he takes over the whole space.” Returning to the studio, I then took him to the roof of the building, and let him descend a final time. |
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