Robert Gober

Art as a Metaphor

What is a Metaphor? a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them. an object, activity, or idea treated as a metaphor

You will be introduced to the contemporary artwork of Robert Gober and Rene Magritte who influenced him. Visual metaphors are found in both artists’ work.

Who is Robert Gober? Robert Gober is an contemporary artist. Contemporary art is generally considered to be artwork created after 1950 to the present.

Biography Born: Wallingford, Conneticut His father who worked in a factory, built the family home, and taught him the merit of making things by hand. Education: School of Art, Rome 1973-1974, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT., B.A., 1976 Lives and works in New York City

Gober was influenced by the art movement of Surrealism.

SURREALISM A 20th century literary and artistic movement that attempted to express the workings of the unconscious by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.

Rene Magritte 1898-1967 Magritte constantly challenged our preconceptions about reality. His works contain extraordinary juxtapositions of ordinary objects or an unusual context that gives new meaning to familiar things. Time Transfixed, 1938 Oil on canvas 147 x 98.7 cm Joseph Winterbotham Collection, 1970.426, Art Institute of Chicago

"In my mind the 'invisible' dissolves the usual meaning of things visible in a picture. Through this our secret starts to dominate us completely.” Magritte The Victory, 1939

The Listening Room , 1952

“This is not a pipe.” Illustration 1. Rene Magritte, The Tune and Also the Words, 1964. (Ceci n'est pas une pipe; "This is not a pipe"). Gouache over traces of graphite on cream wove paper 362 x 548 mm Lindy and Edwin Bergman Collection, 144.1991 Art Institute of Chicago

" The Red Model II, 1937

Themes in Gober’s Work Surrealism Everyday Object Social/Political Issues Religion

Surrealism Untitled. (1989-90.) Wax, cotton, leather, human hair, and wood, 11 3/8 x 7 3/4 x 20" (28.9 x 19.7 x 50.8 cm). Gift of the Dannheisser Collection. Photograph by Tom Griesel, Museum of Modern Art, New York

Robert Gober. Untitled. 1991. Wax, fabric, leather, human hair, and wood, 13 1/4 x 16 ½ x 46 1/8" (33.6 x 41.9 x 117.2 cm). Gift of Werner and Elaine Dannheisser. © 2004 Robert Gober

Leg with anchor:  1990

Untitled, 1991

The Art Institute of Chicago

Inverted Sink, 1985. Plaster, wood, wire lath, steel, and paint 61 1/4 x 102 1/4 x 24" (168.3 x 259.7 x 61 cm.) Sarah Norton Goodyear Fund, 2003 Albert-Knox Art Gallery

Text Untitled, (2000) Plaster, beeswax, human hair, cotton, leather, aluminum, enamel paint 85×101×63 Text

Robert Gober, Untitled Door and Door Frame , 1987–1988 Collection Walker Art Center; Gift of the John and Mary Pappajohn Art Foundation, 2004

Everyday Object Untitled (Farina box),1993 Sculpture/installation, 6' 8" high

Untitled,1993-94.Beeswax, wood, glassine, and felt-tip pen, 9 1/2 × 47 3/4 × 40 in. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

An incongruous combination of disparate forms. Untitled, 1998–99. Willow and silver-plated bronze, 19 1/2 x 70 1/2 x 41 1/2 inches (49.5 x 179.1 x 105.4 cm). Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. Purchased with funds contributed by the International Director's Council and Executive Committee Members, 2000.113.

Installation Untitled, 1989–96

Social/Political Issues

Untitled, 1994-95.

Vocabulary Contemporary Metaphor Surrealism Installation Concept Incongruity Juxtaposition Disparate Irony