Barbara Kruger’s very recognizable design aesthetic is easily identified in her chess set, board, and flight case entitled, Untitled, (Do you feel comfortable losing?) currently on display in our exhibition, OUT OF THE BOX: Artists Play Chess.
In her consistent color palette of red, white, and black, Kruger created large micro chipped, Corian pieces (the King measures 7” in height) that “speak” a variety of phrases when moved including known “Krugerisms.” While some expressions remain neutral (What time is it? You seem tired.), others are rather confrontational (You scare me. What did you expect? What are you trying to do to me? What is up with your hair?) which create a dialogue similar to what could be said (or thought!) during a regular game of chess known for centering itself around warfare and conflict. Most of the phrases and questions (Black asks questions/Red replies in statements) can be seen printed in Kruger’s signature typeface—Futura Bold Oblique on a large flight case located next to the piece, which also acts as a storage unit for the board and 32 pieces. A perfectly chosen appropriated image of a person screaming fills the center of the Corian board—again tying all of Kruger’s past works to this unique chess set.
OUT OF THE BOX: Artists Play Chess is curated by Bradley Bailey and is on view until February 12, 2012.
