The Pyramid

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Object Name: 
Sculpture
Title: 
The Pyramid
Accession Number: 
2007.3.84
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 46.1 cm, W: 97 cm, D: 12.7 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
1989
Credit Line: 
Gift of the Ben W. Heineman Sr. Family
Web Description: 
Karel uses light, glass, and geometric forms to make illusionistic sculptures that challenge the viewer’s perceptions of space and dimension. He especially likes to work outdoors, where his constructions can interact with the environment, absorbing color and light. The Pyramid is made up of two pyramidal forms in blue and yellow glass. Karel manipulates these forms to create the shadow of a third pyramid inside the glass. If you look directly into the center of the sculpture, and then move to the right or left, the black shadow of a pyramid will become apparent. This sculpture has another surprise: as you walk past it, look for the flashing purple square.
Provenance: 
Heller Gallery, Former Collection
1989
Heineman, Ben W. Sr. Family, Source
Material: 
Inscription: 
MARIAN
signature
Engraved On underside of (d)
KAREL
signature
Engraved On underside of (c)
MARIAN KAREL 1989
signature
Engraved On underside of (a)
Primary Description: 
Transparent dark blue and yellow glass; mold-melted, cut, ground. Two blue pyramidal shapes positioned with two yellow pyramidal shapes to form a larger, almost double pyramid in blue and yellow.
Venue(s)
Corning Museum of Glass
Contemporary Glass Gallery and Changing Exhibitions Gallery
Voices of Contemporary Glass: The Heineman Collection (2009) illustrated, pp. 172-173, pl. 91; BIB# 109983