A colored photograph showing flares laid on a rail road track in the configuration of the words NARROW MIND.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

The colored photograph shows a train track from a slanted birds eye view. The track runs from the top left corner of the composition to the bottom right hand corner. Shubbery and long grass run paralell to the track. Lit fllares are laid on the track in the configuration of the words NARROW MIND. The flares are orange in color and have produced a hazy smoke that appears to linger over the words. The inscription below the photograph reads STRONTIUM NITRATE FLARES (1974) / 10 MINUTES / 4' X 75' / RR TRAK NEAR NEWARK, N.J. There is a handwritten incription along the bottom edge of the artwork with the edition number and artist's signature.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2011.8.4
People
Dennis Oppenheim, American (Electric City, Washington 1938 - 2011 New York, New York)
Title
Narrow Mind
Other Titles
Series/Book Title: Mind Twist: A Portfolio of Burnt Out Thoughts
Classification
Photographs
Work Type
photograph
Date
1974
Places
Creation Place: North America, United States, New Jersey, Newark
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/337322

Physical Descriptions

Technique
Chromogenic print
Dimensions
49.8 x 74.1 cm (19 5/8 x 29 3/16 in.)
sheet: 76.2 x 101.6 cm (30 x 40 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: recto, below image: STRONTIUM NITRATE FLARES (1974) / 10 MINUTES / 4' X 75' / RR TRACK NEAR NEWARK, N.J.
  • inscription: recto, bottom edge of sheet, in blue ink: Narrow Mind TP 2/2 Dennis Oppenheim 1977

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Sotheby's, London, c. 2000, sold; to [Richard Saltoun], London, c.2000-2010, sold; to [G.W. Einstein Company, Inc, New York, New York], 2010, sold; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Margaret Fisher Fund
Accession Year
2011
Object Number
2011.8.4
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 1100, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/06/2016 - 10/13/2016

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu