Bruce Nauman

Life Fly Lifes Flies
1997

A minimalist artwork featuring the words "LIFE FLY LIES FLIES" arranged in a column with each word below the other, embossed or cut out in a way that creates a shadow on a white background. The words are oriented such that "LIFE" and "LIES" are readable from the bottom, while "FLY" and "FLIES" are upside down. The artist's signature and the year '97 are written in pencil at the bottom right corner.
A minimalist artwork featuring the words "LIFE FLY LIES FLIES" arranged in a column with each word below the other, embossed or cut out in a way that creates a shadow on a white background. The words are oriented such that "LIFE" and "LIES" are readable from the bottom, while "FLY" and "FLIES" are upside down. The artist's signature and the year '97 are written in pencil at the bottom right corner.

Not on view

Date
1997

Classification
Prints

Medium
Etching

Dimensions
Sheet: 37 1/8 × 27 1/8in. (94.3 × 68.9 cm) Plate: 29 5/8 × 20in. (75.2 × 50.8 cm)

Accession number
99.63.5

Edition
53/90 | I-XC APs, 10 PPs

Publication
Printed by Lothar Osterburg Studio

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Jean-Christophe Castelli and tribute from the artists in honor of Leo Castelli

Rights and reproductions
© Bruce Nauman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

API
artworks/12190

Part of a series:

Leo Castelli 90th Birthday Portfolio

10 works

A minimalist artwork featuring a tilted blue rectangle on a white background, with a signature and edition number at the bottom.
An abstract artwork featuring a blend of various colors and shapes with a dominant presence of blue and yellow hues. The image has a dreamlike quality with overlapping patterns and textures that create a sense of depth and movement. There are hints of recognizable elements such as what might be parts of a bird or mechanical components, but they are obscured and integrated into the overall abstract design. The bottom of the artwork contains handwritten text, possibly a signature and date, indicating the piece's creation.
A black and white photograph centered on a white background featuring an adult holding hands with a small child in a room with an American flag and photographs on the wall. Below the image is a caption that reads, "To my father, You were like God, but let me see for myself... Jean Christophe."
A colorful abstract print featuring geometric shapes and patterns that resemble a stylized interior scene with a chair, a vase with plants, and a chest of drawers. The artwork uses a limited palette with primary colors and halftone dots to create depth and texture.
A high-resolution image of a realistic drawing of wooden planks with natural grain patterns and knots. The drawing is signed and numbered in the bottom left corner and has a small, detailed black and white photograph of a person affixed to the bottom right corner.
A textured black square dominates the center of the image, set against a white background. The lower right corner of the white space features a signature and a date.
A minimalist artwork featuring three stylized human figures walking on a gradient blue to white background, with a constellation of yellow dots connected by thin lines above them. The piece is signed and numbered at the bottom.
A minimalist artwork featuring the words "LIFE FLY LIES FLIES" arranged in a column with each word below the other, embossed or cut out in a way that creates a shadow on a white background. The words are oriented such that "LIFE" and "LIES" are readable from the bottom, while "FLY" and "FLIES" are upside down. The artist's signature and the year '97 are written in pencil at the bottom right corner.
A vibrant artwork featuring an orange flame rising from a black and red base with swirling smoke against a white background. The text "LEO CASTELLI" is prominent at the bottom with additional inscriptions, including the artist's signature and the year 1997.
A black background with white text that reads "One only finishes the finished work." with a citation below it saying "Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres". There is a signature in the bottom right corner.

Bruce Nauman
51 works in the collection

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