Throwback (1/3): Difference between revisions

Throwback
Throwback
Artist	Tony Smith
Year	1976–1979
Type	Aluminum, painted black
Dimensions	202.26 cm × 493.4 cm × 267.97 cm (79.63 in × 194.3 in × 105.50 in)
Location	New York City
	40°45′23.65″N 73°58′53.84″W / 40.7565694°N 73.9816222°W

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Throwback (1/3) is a public artwork by American artist Tony Smith, located in the Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) Plaza at 1166 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York.

Description

The sculpture was constructed by welding sheets of aluminum together at precise angles to form a geometric, four-sided, hollow ring. The sculpture is coated with a flat-black industrial exterior paint, either called Retardo or polyurethane. Currently sited in a brick-lined fountain basin, the sculpture rests on three points.^[1]

Smith named the sculpture while in a retrospective mood. He explains, “In a certain sense the piece is unique. I did not have the prospect or opportunity of making a large architectural sculpture so I decided to do something more conventional. I made an object that recalls an earlier period.”^[2]

Historical information

According to modern art historian Sam Hunter, “his major piece, Throwback, is based on the regular geometric solids of this familiar combination of tetrahedrons and octahedrons, the basic space frame for all his ambitious, conjoined sculpture. Although it is less eccentric or fanciful in its spatial sprawl than some of his complex monumental sculpture its shifting silhouettes and planar configurations can still dazzle the eye of the circulating spectator.” The catalogue text continues to support this, stating that “Throwback shows all the hallmarks of Smith’s ponderous yet graceful and versatile formal constellations.”^[3]

Smith created Throwback in an edition of three; this one is the first, while the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art owns the second in its collection (Throwback (2/3)). The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden owns Throwback (3/3), which is on view. All three were created between 1976-1979 and are aluminum painted black and equal in size.^[3]

Location history

The public space where the first edition of Tony Smith’s Throwback series was originally built in 1972. Historically, the space, now called MMC plaza, has functioned as one of the most popular public places in the New York City. It was renovated in 1981 by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) in cooperation with Sasaki Associates as International Paper Plaza. After that, the plaza was renovated again in 1989 by R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects. Originally, there were a square brick water fountain and water cascades on which Throwback was placed, which made the sculpture look floating on the water. Also, there was a little grove which had functioned as a trademark of the plaza, symbolizing the features of its host, the International Paper Company.^[4]

Now, Marsh & McLennan, whose business includes risk and insurance services, investment management and consulting, owns a 70 percent share in the building and the public space, known as MMC plaza.^[5] The most recent redesign of the plaza was completed in 2001 by Pasanella, Klein, Stolzman, Berg, Architects (PKSB). After the recent renovation, The water cascades along with the rectangular brick fountain were removed, keeping its centerpiece sculpture Throwback.

Acquisition

The sculpture was made between 1976 and 1979 and is one of an edition of three. It was originally owned by International Paper Company until 1987. The company, which was located at 77 West 45th Street until 1987, was responsible for purchasing and installing the sculpture. The property is now jointly owned by New York Telephone and Marsh & McLennan Company, and is administered by Cushman & Wakefield.^[1]

Condition

The first edition of Tony Smith’s Throwback series was surveyed in April 1993 and conservators assessed that the sculpture had been “well maintained.”^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Art Inventories Catalog". Throwback, (sculpture). Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
^ Brownstone, Gilbert (2002). The Smiths. Lakewood, FL: Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art.
^ ^a ^b Hunter, Sam (1979). Tony Smith: Ten Elements and Throwback. New York, NY: The Pace Gallery. pp. 8–9.
^ Kayden, Jerold S. (2000). Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 137–138.
^ Dunlap, David W. (16 July 2000). "Breathing Life into City's Barren Plazas". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 October 2012.

External links

[Smithsonian-1] "Art Inventories Catalog". Throwback, (sculpture). Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved October 23, 2012.

[2] Brownstone, Gilbert (2002). The Smiths. Lakewood, FL: Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art.

[Hunter-3] Hunter, Sam (1979). Tony Smith: Ten Elements and Throwback. New York, NY: The Pace Gallery. pp. 8–9.

[4] Kayden, Jerold S. (2000). Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 137–138.

[5] Dunlap, David W. (16 July 2000). "Breathing Life into City's Barren Plazas". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 October 2012.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Sculpture by Tony Smith}}
-{{citation style|date=October 2012}}
-{{more footnotes|date=October 2012}}
-{{single source|date=October 2012}}
 {{italic title}}
 {{Infobox artwork
-| image_file         =
+| image_file         = Throwback_1_3.jpg
 | painting_alignment =
-| image_size         =
+| image_size         = 250 px
 | title              = Throwback
 | alt                =
@@ Line 13: / Line 11: @@
 | other_language_2   =
 | other_title_2      =
-| artist             = Tony Smith (sculptor)
+| artist             = [[Tony Smith (sculptor)|Tony Smith]]
-| year               = {{Start date|1976 - 1979}}
+| year               = {{Start date|1976}}–{{End date|1979}}
-| type               = Painted [[Aluminum]]
+| type               = [[Aluminum]], painted black
 | height_metric             = 202.26
 | width_metric              = 493.4
 | length_metric             = 267.97
@@ Line 28: / Line 26: @@
 | city               = New York City
 | museum             =
-| coordinates        = {{coord|40|45|23.65|N|73|58|53.84|W|region:US}}
+| coordinates        = {{coord|40|45|23.65|N|73|58|53.84|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
 | owner              =
 }}
-'''''Throwback'' (1/3)''' is a public artwork by American artist [[Tony Smith (sculptor)|Tony Smith]], located in the [[Marsh & McLennan Companies]] (MMC) Plaza at 1166 Avenue of the Americas in New York, New York, United States.
+'''''Throwback'' (1/3)''' is a public artwork by American artist [[Tony Smith (sculptor)|Tony Smith]], located in the [[Marsh & McLennan Companies]] (MMC) Plaza at [[1166 Avenue of the Americas]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]], [[New York City]], New York.
 ==Description==
-The sculpture was constructed by welding sheets of aluminum together at precise angles to form a geometric, four-sided, hollow ring. The sculpture is coated with a flat-black industrial exterior paint, either called Retardo or polyurethane. Currently sited in a brick-lined fountain basin, the sculpture rests on three points.
+The sculpture was constructed by welding sheets of aluminum together at precise angles to form a geometric, four-sided, hollow ring. The sculpture is coated with a flat-black industrial exterior paint, either called Retardo or polyurethane. Currently sited in a brick-lined fountain basin, the sculpture rests on three points.<ref name="Smithsonian">{{cite web|title=Art Inventories Catalog|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13492S1629CJ6.5635&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!302780~!80&ri=2&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Smith,+Tony,+1912-1980,+sculptor.&index=AUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=2|work=Throwback, (sculpture)|publisher=Smithsonian American Art Museum|accessdate=October 23, 2012}}</ref>
 Smith named the sculpture while in a retrospective mood.  He explains, “In a certain sense the piece is unique.  I did not have the prospect or opportunity of making a large architectural sculpture so I decided to do something more conventional.  I made an object that recalls an earlier period.”<ref>{{cite book|last=Brownstone|first=Gilbert|title=The Smiths|year=2002|publisher=Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art|location=Lakewood, FL}}</ref>
-According to modern art historian [[Sam Hunter]], “His major piece, Throwback, is based on the regular geometric solids of this familiar combination of tetrahedrons and octahedrons, the basic space frame for all his ambitious, conjoined sculpture.  Although it is less eccentric or fanciful in its spatial sprawl than some of his complex monumental sculpture its shifting silhouettes and planar configurations can still dazzle the eye of the circulating spectator.” The catalogue text continues to support this, stating that “''Throwback'' shows all the hallmarks of Smith’s ponderous yet graceful and versatile formal constellations.”
-Smith created Throwback in an edition of three; this one is the first, while the [[San Francisco Museum of Modern Art]] owns the second in its collection ([[Throwback (2/3)]]). The [[Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden]] owns [[Throwback (3/3)]], which is on view.  All three were created between 1976-1979 and are aluminum painted black and equal in size.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hunter|first=Sam|title=Tony Smith: Ten Elements and Throwback|year=1979|publisher=The Pace Gallery|location=New York, NY|pages=8–9}}</ref>
 ==Historical information==
+According to modern art historian [[Sam Hunter (art historian)|Sam Hunter]], “his major piece, ''Throwback'', is based on the regular geometric solids of this familiar combination of tetrahedrons and octahedrons, the basic space frame for all his ambitious, conjoined sculpture.  Although it is less eccentric or fanciful in its spatial sprawl than some of his complex monumental sculpture its shifting silhouettes and planar configurations can still dazzle the eye of the circulating spectator.” The catalogue text continues to support this, stating that “''Throwback'' shows all the hallmarks of Smith’s ponderous yet graceful and versatile formal constellations.”<ref name="Hunter">{{cite book|last=Hunter|first=Sam|title=Tony Smith: Ten Elements and Throwback|year=1979|publisher=The Pace Gallery|location=New York, NY|pages=8–9}}</ref>
-<!--Should include other details such as how, where, and why the artwork was made; how it got to its current location; the owner; its value (either purchase price or current), accession number, interesting details, or other important dates.
--->
+Smith created ''Throwback'' in an edition of three; this one is the first, while the [[San Francisco Museum of Modern Art]] owns the second in its collection (''[[Throwback (2/3)]]''). The [[Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden]] owns ''[[Throwback (3/3)]]'', which is on view.  All three were created between 1976-1979 and are aluminum painted black and equal in size.<ref name="Hunter"/>
 ===Location history===
+The public space where the first edition of Tony Smith’s ''Throwback'' series was originally built in 1972. Historically, the space, now called ''MMC plaza,'' has functioned as one of the most popular public places in the New York City. It was renovated in 1981 by [[Skidmore, Owings and Merrill|Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM)]] in cooperation with [http://www.sasaki.com Sasaki Associates] as International Paper Plaza. After that, the plaza was renovated again in 1989 by [http://www.kliment-halsband.com R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects]. Originally, there were a square brick water fountain and water cascades on which Throwback was placed, which made the sculpture look floating on the water.
-<!--If you would like to include a subheading describing the specific information related to the artwork's previous installation or storage locations, place it here. This is especially important for works that have been sighted in multiple locations.
+Also, there was a little grove which had functioned as a trademark of the plaza, symbolizing the features of its host, the [[International Paper|International Paper Company]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kayden|first=Jerold S.|title=Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience|year=2000|publisher=Wiley & Sons, Inc.|location=New Jersey|pages=137–138}}</ref>
--->
-The public space where the first edition of Tony Smith’s ''Throwback'' series was originally built in 1972. Historically, the space, now called ''MMC plaza,'' has functioned as one of the most popular public places in the New York City. It was renovated in 1981 by [[Skidmore,_Owings_and_Merrill|Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM)]] in cooperation with [http://www.sasaki.com Sasaki Associates] as International Paper Plaza. After that, the plaza was renovated again in 1989 by [http://www.kliment-halsband.com R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband Architects]. Originally, there were a square brick water fountain and water cascades on which Throwback was placed, which made the sculpture look floating on the water.
-Also, there was a little grove which had functioned as a trademark of the plaza, symbolizing the features of its host, the [[International_Paper|International Paper Company]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kayden|first=Jerold S.|title=Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience|year=2000|publisher=Wiley & Sons, Inc.|location=New Jersey|pages=137-138}}</ref>
-Now, Marsh & McLennan, whose business includes risk and insurance services, investment management and consulting, owns a 70 percent share in the building and the public space, known as MMC plaza.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|title=Breathing Life into City's Barren Plazas|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/16/realestate/breathing-life-into-city-s-barren-plazas.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 July 2000}}</ref>  The most recent redesign of the plaza was completed in 2001 by [http://www.pksb.com/index.php?mode=projects&category=Civic&page=0&project_id=108 Pasanella, Klein, Stolzman, Berg, Architects (PKSB)]. After the recent renovation, The water cascades along with the rectangular brick fountain were removed, keeping its centerpiece sculpture ''Throwback''.
+Now, Marsh & McLennan, whose business includes risk and insurance services, investment management and consulting, owns a 70 percent share in the building and the public space, known as MMC plaza.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|title=Breathing Life into City's Barren Plazas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/16/realestate/breathing-life-into-city-s-barren-plazas.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 July 2000}}</ref>  The most recent redesign of the plaza was completed in 2001 by [http://www.pksb.com/index.php?mode=projects&category=Civic&page=0&project_id=108 Pasanella, Klein, Stolzman, Berg, Architects (PKSB)]. After the recent renovation, The water cascades along with the rectangular brick fountain were removed, keeping its centerpiece sculpture ''Throwback''.
 ===Acquisition===
+The sculpture was made between 1976 and 1979 and is one of an edition of three. It was originally owned by [[International Paper|International Paper Company]] until 1987.  The company, which was located at 77 West 45th Street until 1987, was responsible for purchasing and installing the sculpture. The property is now jointly owned by [[New York Telephone]] and Marsh & [[Marsh & McLennan Companies|McLennan Company]], and is administered by Cushman & Wakefield.<ref name="Smithsonian"/>
-<!--If you would like to include a subheading describing the acquisition and ownership of the artwork in more detail, place it here. This is generally relevant if the artwork is owned by an institution that follows museum practices.
--->
-This sculpture was made between (1976-1979) and  is one of an edition of three. This sculpture was originally owned by [[International_Paper|International Paper Company]] until 1987.  The company, which was located at 77 West 45th Street until 1987, was responsible for purchasing and installing the sculpture. The Property is now jointly owned by [[New_York_Telephone|New York Telephone]] and Marsh & [[Marsh & McLennan Companies|McLennan Company]], and is administered by Cushman & Wakefield.<ref>[http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13492S1629CJ6.5635&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!302780~!80&ri=2&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Smith,+Tony,+1912-1980,+sculptor.&index=AUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=2 Smithsonian American Art Museum, Art Inventories Catalog]</ref>
-==Artist==
-{{Main|Tony Smith (sculptor)}}
 ==Condition==
+The first edition of Tony Smith’s ''Throwback'' series was surveyed in April 1993 and conservators assessed that the sculpture had been “well maintained.”<ref name="Smithsonian"/>
-<!-- Wikipedia guidelines do not allow for personal and unverified condition assessments.  Written assessments like these are generally considered original research and are not permitted in articles.  However, if there is a published reference to back up findings regarding condition, such as a newspaper, magazine or journal article, or book, please include them under this heading. Most of the SOS! records from 1992-94 have a brief mention of the artworks condition.
--->The first edition of Tony Smith’s “Throwback” series was surveyed in April 1993 and conservators assessed that the sculpture had been “well maintained.” <ref>{{cite web|title=Art Inventories Catalog|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!302780~!0#focus|work=Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS)|publisher=Smithsonian American Art Museum|accessdate=20 October 2012}}</ref>
 ==See also==
-* [[outdoor sculptures]]
+* [[List of Tony Smith sculptures]]
+* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Public art/TheArtistResearchProject/TonySmith|The Tony Smith Artist Research Project in Wikipedia]]
-* [[Lippincott, Inc.]]
-* [[Save Outdoor Sculpture!(SOS!)]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 78: / Line 64: @@
 * [http://www.lmgallery.com/artists/tony-smith/ LM Gallery Article on Tony Smith]
 * [http://www.lippincottsculpture.com Lippincott, Inc. Sculpture Fabricator]
-* [http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/SOS/index.html]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100428012634/http://www.heritagepreservation.org/programs/SOS/index.html Save Outdoor Sculpture!]
+{{Public art in Manhattan}}
+{{Tony Smith}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Throwback (1 3)}}
+[[Category:1979 sculptures]]
+[[Category:Aluminum sculptures in New York City]]
 [[Category:Sculptures by Tony Smith]]
-[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in New York City]]
+[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in Manhattan]]
-[[Category:Aluminium sculptures]]
-[[Category:Save Outdoor Sculpture! (SOS!) ]]

v t e Tony Smith
Works (List)	Cigarette (1/3) (1961) Tau Tau (1/3) (1961–62) Gracehoper (2/3) (1962) Playground (3/3) (1962) Moondog (3/3) (1964) Smoke (1/3) (1967) Source (1/3) (1967) Wandering Rocks (1967) Stinger (1967–68) Moses (1968) Moses (2/3) Moses (3/3) (1968) Trap (3/9) (1968) Smog (1/3) (1969–70) Light Up (1971) She Who Must Be Obeyed (1971–72) The Fourth Sign (1974) Throwback (1/3) (1976–77) Throwback (3/3) (1976–77)
Family	Jane Lawrence (wife) Kiki Smith (daughter) Seton Smith (daughter)
Commons