UMBRELLAS STRIPPED BARE, 2001

Jean Shin: Umbrellas Stripped Bare

Broken umbrella fabric, thread, and cable
6 ft h x 50 ft w
Broken umbrella metal and wooden handles
6 ft h x 6 ft w x 6 ft d
2001
Installation at Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, New York

Rescued after a storm, broken umbrellas were reconstituted into two corresponding sculptures. The assorted fabrics have been sewn together to form an immense and colorful banner that catches the wind and light. The bare ribs and handles form a spiny mass, reminiscent of the chaotic struggle with storms that the umbrellas have endured. While the deconstructed objects have been rendered “useless,” they respond and embrace the outdoor conditions in new ways.

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