Hanging Spatial Construction No. 12 (Oval in Oval)
| Artist | Alexander Rodchenko (Russian, 1891–1956) |
|---|---|
| Title | Hanging Spatial Construction No. 12 (Oval in Oval) |
| Date | 1973 (original 1920-21) |
| Medium | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | Overall: 20 1/8 x 33 x 18 1/2 in. (51.1 x 83.8 x 47 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 75.35.5 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
Aluminum construction composed of ellipses in an increasingly elongated form. Flattened aluminum bands joined with thin wire hold the parts in a stable relationship.
In 1920 and 1921, Rodchenko created a series of hanging “spatial constructions.” Each explored the aesthetic possibilities offered by geometric shapes such as ovals, circles, and squares. These innovative sculptures combined two-dimensional and three-dimensional properties. Oval in Oval can be folded inward to create a flat plane or opened and expanded to reveal a volumetric mobile form. Because most of these ephemeral works were later destroyed, the artist’s estate authorized a replica edition in 1973. Nevertheless, there are some differences between the originals and the replicas. The original Oval in Oval was constructed from a single sheet of plywood, cut in concentric bands, whereas this 1973 editioned replica is made of aluminum.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Hanging Spatial Construction No. 12 (Oval in Oval) | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=75.35.5