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
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.