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Untitled (Crystal Antler)
Untitled (Crystal Antler)

Untitled (Crystal Antler)

Artist (Born in New Britain, Connecticut, 1969)
Date2009
MediumCast urethane antler, crystals, adhesive
Dimensions8 x 6 x 3 1/2 inches (20.3 x 15.2 x 8.9 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of the Peter Norton Family
Object number2009.14.1
Collections
  • ART OF THE UNITED STATES
  • MODERN & CONTEMPORARY
Label TextMarc Swanson, the son of an ex-Marine and avid hunter, often merges aspects of his childhood in rural New England with various features of his mixed-media practice. In this case, an antler—a trophy emblematic of masculine prowess—has been cast and covered with shining crystals—glamourous, artificial accessories that contrast with an antler’s organic origins. In a blend of natural history and popular culture, Swanson subverts a status symbol stereotypically associated with male skill and bravery by concealing its surface with fake, glittering gems. The added crystals glorify hunting by making the antler into a desirable object, but also redirect notions of who should participate in such practices and why.