Ephemera Series #8, Even the Biggest Ball of String
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Medium: Etching.
Print Image Size: 34 7/8 x 23 3/4 inches.
Print Edition: no edition (with 6 artist's proofs).
Alternate Medium: Two-plate photo-etching.
Ink(s): red, yellow, blue, black.
Support: Rives BFK paper.
A central panel with Uncle Sam and patriotic burlesque dancers, under the phrase "Ex nihilo, nihil fit" - or "from nothing, nothing comes." Positive and negative images of Vice President Spiro Agnew are organized in a grid, some of which have been crossed out or covered in graffiti which reads "#216 Ohio State University honorary degree," "nattering naboobs, effete boobs," and "law and order, honor, trust." Text relating to his disbarment reads "Former Vice President Spiro T. Agnew was disbarred Thursday by the Maryland Court of Appeals. Disbarment came after the court ruled that Agnew was 'so morally obtuse' that he consciously cheated the government, violated his oath of office and failed to see his duty to act honestly in all matters." The second etched plate was printed in a changing variety of colors added to each impression [CMA 2001.034.321, CMA 2013.057.050], and was reused the following year to create an abstract composition [CMA 2001.034.261].