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Indepth Arts News:
"Star-Spangled Presidents: Portraits by Liza Lou"
2000-11-18 until 2001-02-19
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
Washington, DC,
USA
The museum presents this installation to complement the
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's new permanent exhibition The
American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. Using beads, Liza Lou creates a likeness of each of the 42 American presidents that
resembles historic black and white photographs. Each portrait is bordered with a wide band
of gold beads, creating the illusion of a gilded frame. To complete the installation, finished
in 1996, Lou includes ceremonial objects that suggest the trappings of the office, including
a draped American flag, a chandelier, a fancy table and a cigar.
The zillions of beads I used to create American Presidents symbolize grand campaign
promises of a sparkling future for America and the fulfillment of the American Dream,
said Lou.
Lou is best known for her monumental beaded environments, including Kitchen (1995)
and Back Yard (1997). Her installations combine the shimmering beauty and glamour of
beads with insightful and subtle comments on suburban American culture and a woman's
role in this society.
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