Dionne Lee
A Use for Rope or String

A Use for Rope or String

© 2017 Dionne Lee

A Use for Rope or String
A Use for Rope or String
ArtistAmerican, born 1988
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • A Use for Rope or String
Date2017
MediumSingle-channel video
Dimensions8 minutes, 17 seconds
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Joan Morgenstern and Nina and Michael Zilkha
Object number2020.195
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Description


Race, gender, age, and countless other factors influence how a viewer perceives any work of art. In Dionne Lee’s video, string becomes a sign of both pleasure and terror. On the one hand, it recalls the fun of simple childhood games like “cat’s cradle”; on the other, it calls to mind the horrific history of rope twisted around Black flesh.



ProvenanceThe artist, Oakland, California; purchased by MFAH, 2020.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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