Tim Noble and Sue Webster

Bortolami Dayan, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above in March 2005

This work appears in excellent condition overall and is in good working order. There is evidence of very light wear and handling to the casing. There are no apparent condition problems with this work.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Tim Noble and Sue Webster's light sculptures evoke the shop-front-type signage of middle-class British seaside towns as well as the bright lights of Las Vegas and Times Square. Through their light sequences the messages conveyed distort to dueling messages. The Whole Year Inn (The hole Yer In) from 1998 is the first example of these neon signs created by the British duo. The dual message is a direct appropriation from the 1995 movie Leaving Las Vegas. In the movie, the downtrodden main character Ben arrives to Las Vegas after having lost everything to drink himself to death. As he is checking into his fleabag motel, the light sign changes from one scene to the next from The Whole Year Inn to The Hole You're In.