Frank Gehry

Jasper Johns, gift of the artist
Metro Pictures Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Frank Gehry:  Fish and Snake Lamps, Metro Pictures Gallery, New York, November 27-December 22, 1984

"Album:  Frank Gehry," Arts Magazine, December 1984, pp. 44-45
"Fish Gotta Swim, Snakes Gotta Slither," Progressive Architecture, November 1984, p. 31
J. Fiona Ragheb, ed., Frank Gehry, Architect, New York, 2001, pp. 81 and 83 (for related Fish Lamps)
Mildred Friedman,  ed., Gehry Talks:  Architecture + Process, New York, 2002, p. 137 (for a related wall light at the University of Minnesota Art and Teaching Museum)
Francesco Dal Co and Kurt W. Forster, Frank O. Gehry: The Complete Works, Milan, 2003, p. 278 (for related Fish Lamps)

Overall in very good original condition. This lot comprises the sculptural fish element and an illuminated base. The fish and base are separate elements, and the fish can be removed for the shipping and transport. The fish with surface dirt throughout, and would benefit from cleaning. Some of the elongated fins are held in place with silicone to the adjacent fin. Two of these silicone fastenings have come loose. The fins remain stable and in place and the silicone was likely an additional stabilizing feature. Please note the measurements as the pedestal is quite tall. And original to the work. The pedestal with a few scattered surface scratches and a few scuff marks. The lower edge of the pedestal base and edge of the top panel are unfinished, which is inherent in the design. This is a rare object, and likely a unique variant from the collection of Jasper Johns.
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.

The Formica Company in 1982 launched a travelling exhibition program entitled "Surface & Ornament" to display the artistic potential of their revolutionary new product, ColorCore.  Noted designers of the time, including Robert Venturi and Massimo Vignelli, experimented with this color-saturated lightweight laminate.  For this program Frank Gehry introduced his Fish lamp design, which he would continue to explore through 1984.  The first series of the Fish lamps, shown at "Surface & Ornament" and at a later exhibition at Gagosian Gallery, focused on the pairing of the fish and a tall pedestal.  Later explorations of the form included a ColorCore sculptured base.  By tearing the surface of the ColorCore, Gehry discovered a less rigid and more sculptural quality in the material.

Given to Jasper Johns, the present lot is an early example of the Fish lamp and displays a unique and elaborate magnified fin design.