Man Ray

Involute

About this artwork

Man Ray turned to making collages as a way of de-personalising art. This work was made during the early stages of New York Dada. The title means 'intricate' and 'curled', and the collage is composed of spiralling forms. The letters 'INV' and the 'O' beneath, combined with the cut-out metal lute, spell out the title in a visual pun. The long screw form on the left is echoed by the actual screw which holds the metal plate in place. The threads in a transparent wallet, tacked on to the picture, refer to the strings of the lute.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Man Ray (1890 - 1976) American
  • title:
    Involute
  • date created:
    1917
  • materials:
    Mixed-media collage on card laid on laminated board
  • measurements:
    61.50 x 46.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1978
  • accession number:
    GMA 2064
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Man Ray

Man Ray