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Vanessa Beecroft — The Silent Service, Intrepid, New York, NY - vb42.090.te
Vanessa Beecroft

The Silent Service, Intrepid, New York, NY - vb42.090.te

A large-scale performance work by Vanessa Beecroft staged aboard the historic USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York, in which groups of identically dressed or undressed figures are arranged in precise, static formations across the vessel's deck. The work reflects Beecroft's signature exploration of uniformity, identity, and the tension between individuality and collective anonymity, set against the imposing military backdrop of the decommissioned warship. The austere naval environment amplifies the performative stillness of the human figures, evoking themes of discipline, power, and spectacle.

🔨 Auction Lot

Contemporary Art Day Sale

October 17, 2013

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About this work

Vanessa Beecroft, The Silent Service, Intrepid, New York, NY - vb42.090.te

A large-scale performance work by Vanessa Beecroft staged aboard the historic USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York, in which groups of identically dressed or undressed figures are arranged in precise, static formations across the vessel's deck. The work reflects Beecroft's signature exploration of uniformity, identity, and the tension between individuality and collective anonymity, set against the imposing military backdrop of the decommissioned warship. The austere naval environment amplifies the performative stillness of the human figures, evoking themes of discipline, power, and spectacle.

Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Tableau Vivant, Figure Study, Performance Art, Minimalist Aesthetic, Human Body, Cool Tones, Conceptual Art, Contemporary Artist, American Artist, Staged Photography, Nude Figures, Military Theme, Monochromatic, Female Artist, Large Scale Installation

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