Paul McCarthy

Black and White Video (Shadow, Singing, Wall Contact, Crucifix)
1971

A series of eight black and white Polaroid photos showing various blurry images of a person and their shadow against a wall. The top row features silhouettes, the middle rows show the person looking sideways and directly at the camera, and the bottom row captures the person with arms outstretched.

Not on view

Date
1971

Classification
Photographs

Medium
Eight gelatin silver prints

Dimensions
Overall: 30 11/16 × 19 3/8in. (77.9 × 49.2 cm) Frame: 36 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 1 1/2in. (92.7 × 62.2 × 3.8 cm)

Accession number
2001.138.13

Edition
Vintage

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from the Contemporary Painting and Sculpture Committee and Norah Sharpe Stone

Rights and reproductions
© Paul McCarthy; courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

API
artworks/16287

Part of a series:

Combination Photographs

13 works

A panoramic sequence of four black and white photographs displayed side by side. Each photo is rotated 90 degrees from the previous one, creating a flipbook effect. The first and fourth images show a person standing and holding a complex piece of equipment with dials and wires. The second and third images, rotated 180 degrees from the first, depict two individuals sitting, one of whom is wearing headphones and appears to be conducting an interview or recording. The setting includes electronic equipment and a plain backdrop, suggesting a studio environment.

A cyanotype photograph depicting two individuals engaged in an activity, with one person sitting and the other leaning over, both appearing to focus on an object or task at hand. The blue-toned image creates a surreal and monochromatic effect.

A collage of black and white photographs depicting various scenes, including a man speaking into a microphone, musicians performing, a person being tattooed, and several close-up shots of a tattoo in progress. The images capture the intensity and atmosphere of a live performance or event, with some photos showing the audience and others focusing on the performers and the tattoo artist at work.

A gallery wall featuring a series of framed black and white photographs. On the left, a large frame contains a collage of images showing a shirtless man in various poses with his hands behind his head. To the right, three smaller frames display more abstract compositions, including blurred figures and dark, indistinct scenes that suggest movement and chaos. The artwork is presented in a clean, well-lit space, emphasizing the contrast between the stark photography and the minimalist setting.

A collage of black and white photographs showing a nude figure in various poses within a studio setting, surrounded by photography equipment and lighting. Some images are rotated or inverted, adding an abstract quality to the composition.

Paul McCarthy
41 works in the collection

View artist

Paul McCarthy

Black and White Video (Shadow, Singing, Wall Contact, Crucifix) 1971

Paul McCarthy 41 works in the collection

Black and White Video (Shadow, Singing, Wall Contact, Crucifix)
1971

Paul McCarthy
41 works in the collection