Machu Picchu, (sculpture).

Machu Picchu, (sculpture).

Slivka, David, 1914-2010, sculptor.

Machu Picchu, (sculpture).

1974. Installed 1975. Relocated 1979.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: wood shell over nylon webbing, with thin plaster coating, painted; Foundation: concrete.

Sculpture: approx. 10 x 44 x 10 ft.; Foundation: approx. W. 45 ft. x D. 14 ft. 10 in.

(Possibly marking, now largely illegible, on northeast face of trapezoid that supports the eastern most block) (Small plexiglas plate on northwestern most face of sculpture:) Machu Picchu/by/David Slivka unsigned

An abstract sculpture made up of 7 large trapezoidal shapes, placed at angles to each other in three groups. Shapes reference blocks found in the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. The piece is designed in modules to permit assembly and dismantling. The piece is painted the color of clay with paint that has been mixed with sand and sawdust to give the appearance of stone. All edges are joined with metal brackets and iron (?) nails that run the length of the edges.

Abstract -- Geometric

Cityscape -- Peru -- Machu Picchu

Outdoor Sculpture -- Texas -- Austin

Administered by University of Texas at Austin, Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, 1 University Station D1303, Austin, Texas 78712

Administered by University of Texas at Austin, President's Office, Main Building, Room 400, P. O. Box T, Austin, Texas 78714

Located at University of Texas at Austin, Balcones Research Center, Read Granberry Drive & Neils Thompson Drive, Austin, Texas 78712

Gift of Macklowe, Harry, Wolf & Macklowe Co., New York through Helen Gee, Contemporary Art (New York City), 1975.

The sculpture may have been exhibited at Grace Plaza in New York City prior to its purchase and gift to the University of Texas. It was acquired from Helen Gee Contemporary Art in 1975 and was a gift of Harry Macklowe, Wolf & Macklowe Co. Installed at the University, the sculpture originally stood on the plaza in front of the Harry Ransom Center at 21st and Guadalupe Streets, until being moved to its current location in 1979. IAS files contain related article from Arts Magazine, vol. 49, May 1975, pg. 9; and transcription of possible markings on sculpture.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Texas, Austin survey, 1993.

Archer M. Huntington Art Gallery, University of Texas at Austin, 1990.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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