Chess set
by Man Ray
Artist
Man Ray
(USA, 1890 - 1976)
Alternate Title
- Schackspel
Date1920-1947
MediumPainted wood, metal, paper
DimensionsVarierande mått
ClassificationSculptures
Credit LineAcquisition 1961
Countries
Object NumberMOM/2003/69
The artwork is not on display
About the artworkMan Ray was a passionate chess player. He made his first set of chess pieces in 1920, using objects that happened to be at hand. Over the years, he simplified the shapes. The originally pyramidal king was modelled on the graves of the pharaohs, the queen's softer lines were inspired by mediaeval headdresses. The bottle-shaped bishop alludes to the clergy's custom of producing alcoholic beverages. The circular segment of the knight resembles a horse's head. This chess set was used at the Movement in Art exhibition at Moderna Museet in 1961. The black moves were telegraphed by Marcel Duchamp from New York, and the counter-moves were performed by three other players. The game was to be seen as a kinetic work of art.
Selected exhibition history Man Ray (2004) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Man Ray: [Emmanuel Radnitsky]: Moderna Museet [4.9 - 31.10] 2004
Selected exhibition history Man Ray (2004) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Man Ray: [Emmanuel Radnitsky]: Moderna Museet [4.9 - 31.10] 2004