Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink drawing by Chris Burden. It dates from 1991 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Chris Burden's *Untitled* (1991) is a drawing executed in ink and correction fluid on lined paper, deviating from the artist's more recognized work in performance, sculpture, and installation.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a colossal, 12-foot-tall open book titled *The Other Vietnam Memorial*, mounted on a stand with a turning pole. Its pages, filled with cramped handwriting, list the names of Vietnamese casualties from the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, offering a conceptual tribute and commentary.
Technique & Style
Burden employs a minimalist approach in the drawing's execution, juxtaposing simple ink lines with correction fluid on standard lined paper, underscoring the contrast between the mundane medium and the monumental, conceptual subject.
History & Provenance
Created in 1991, *Untitled* reflects Burden's conceptual rigor, characteristic of his practice since gaining prominence in the 1970s with provocative performances like *Shoot* (1971).
Context
While differing in medium from Burden's infamous performance and sculpture works, *Untitled* aligns with his thematic exploration of societal commentary, here focusing on the often-overlooked Vietnamese victims of the Vietnam War.
Legacy
As part of Burden's diverse oeuvre, *Untitled* contributes to the artist's legacy of challenging perceptions through varied mediums, though its impact is more nuanced compared to his landmark performance pieces.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christopher Lee Burden (April 11, 1946 – May 10, 2015) was an American artist working in performance art, sculpture, and installation art.
