Picture

Object Name:

Picture

Object ID:

1992.030.01-.31

Creator:

Smuda, Gail (1942- )Artist

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1981-1994

Description:

31 pieces of copier art, or xerographic art, all produced on a photocopy machine by Gail Smuda (b. 1942) of Concord, NH. All signed by the artist.

.01) Manila envelope, 2.25" x 3.5", with "COPY" in blue letters on outside. Flap tied with string. Contains strip of yellow paper, 2" x 42.95", folded accordion-style, with black lettering: "ALPHABET SOUP", followed by each letter of the alphabet and soup recipe; last segment has text "Bring water to rapid boil. / Add pasta. / Return water a rapid boil. / Cook for 5 minutes. / Drain. / Rinse in hot water. / Add to chicken broth; signed "Smuda 171/175" in pencil. Envelope also contains pasta letters for making soup. There are segments glued together. First is 11" x 2", second 10.95" x 2", third segment: 10.95" x 2" and the last one is 10.95" x 2".

.02) Manila envelope, 3" x 4.5", with "FALSE PROPHETS" in green letters on outside. Contains 8-page booklet, 2.8" x 4.2", of folded paper, entitled "FALSE PROPHETS", with one word or phrase on each page: "politicians", "MEDICINE MEN", "cult leaders", "FBI AGENTS", "academia", and "televangelists". On back: "We may become the makers of / our fate when we have ceased / to pose as its prophets. / Karl Popper". Envelope signed on back "Smuda 28/225".

.03) Two pieces of accordion-folded paper, each 4.25" x 11", entitled "JUST QUESTIONS". Black images of leaves and Indians. Four typescript questions and letters "DDT". Pieces folded together and attached with white adhesive circle. Signed on back "Smuda 169/200" in pencil. .03a: writing on front. 2 text blocks, 1 in 4 lines: "Why is the American Indian / display adjacent to the / primate display at the / museum of Natural History?" The other text block to the right: "Why do Americans feel / that 'new' necessarily / means 'improved'?" Part of the artwork has letters: "D D T". Back of 'a' there is about 2/3 of a circle and it joins up with the other piece. At the top of the circle there is a dot and "JUS" and on the second piece there is a "T". At the bottom of the circle outside: ".QUESTION" and on second piece there is a "S". .b On the second panel from the left in script is artist's name: "Smuda 169-200". On the front there are 2 text block areas: On the left: "Why are the tears shed by the / 'enemy' always considered less / valid than our own?" Second text block: "When will we learn / from history?"

.04) Piece of tan-colored paper folded to 4.5") x 3.2" and sealed on back with masking tape. Black lettering on front: "BROWN / PAPER / WRAPPER". Signed on back "Smuda 177/250" in pencil.

.05) Piece of cream-colored paper, 3.75" x 17", folded accordion-style to 2.1" x 3.75". Entitled "ODE TO / Saint / SEBASTIAN". Two images of Saint Sebastian on inside; black and purple arrows on reverse. Two punched holes hold red plastic arrow. Signed on back "Smuda 152/225" in pencil at the bottom. Unfolded 16.9" x 3.65".

.06) Gray paper, 8" x 10.25", folded to 3.5" x 8". Images of women wearing undergarments, with script lettering: "So remember girls .... Every goal needs a solid foundation. Wired, strapless bra, waist center, / and stretch nylon lace girdle." Center panel: "Foundation with nipped waist, / flat back, and carved-in midriff" Third line: "Two-piece foundation garment". Marketing myths of the recent past." Signed "Smuda" in purple on back.

.07) 12-page booklet (3 sheets of paper), 5.5" x 4.3", bound with red and white thread. Entitled "as / COLD / AS". Page 2 is blank. Page 3 is a collage of headlines: "upheaval" "Economy; / news bad" "Toxic W..." "Defense" "arres[t]" "The / Headlines / In winter" "LP" "NR" "fire" "Impact" "Seabrook" "slaying victim" "Shooting" "...Teste...in" "cited / police still trying to identify body". Includes snowflake design, news photos, and newspaper headlines. On page 4 "a DAY IN ROMANIA". Page 5 has picture with text: "Leona". Center is one image with lettering: "A G R A T E in the city". Page 8 text: "Massacre in Montreal / 'I want the women,' the killer said, smiling. / A Man with A mission". Next page (some missing) "ALASK{A} / AFTER / Exxon / EXXON VALDEZ"
Next page: 'Ice'. Next page blank. Last page is signature. Signed on back "Smuda 120/150" in pencil, and "Smuda 1990" on back.

.08) 12-page booklet (3 sheets of paper), 5.75" x 4.25", bound with gold colored thread. Front and back covered with decorated paper. Includes photos and one word on each of 8 pages: "WHAT / VALUE / BEAUTY / IF / TIS / BUT / SKIN / DEEP?" Signed inside back cover "Smuda 183/200". Cover size is 5.75" x 4.3". Page size: 5.5" x 4".

.09) 16-page booklet (4 sheets of paper), 5.5" x 4.3", bound with pink thread. Entitled "HOW TO BECOME A / FAMOUS WOMAN ARTIST / IN THE 90'S / OFFICIAL / board game / rule book". Includes photos of women artists. Lists various art career moves and whether they will get you ahead or move you back. The same writing is on the back minus the "board game". Signed on back "Smuda 200/151" in pencil. Text inside page 1: "-MARY A FAMOUS MALE / ARTIST / served his career / move back 5 -WORK IN OBSCURITY / fame arrives / centuries late / move forward 2. Page 2 "-BE LISTED IN PART / HISTORY BOOK / not likely / move back 5 / -USE INITIALS / no one will know / you're not a man / move ahead 4". Next page (3): "-WORK FOR YOUR FATHER/ BROTHER, ETC. / no credit given to / you but at least / work is seen / no move. "-HELP OTHER WOMEN ON / THE WAY UP / everyone needs / mentors / move ahead 5". Page 4: "-JOIN A WOMAN'S / CO-OP / no one takes you / seriously / move back 3: "-SHOW AT THE WHITNEY / you lose-this is / an impossible move". Page 5 "-DUMP PINK AS A COLOR / OPTION / no move / -DIE YOUNG- that way / your output is a given / start over". Page 6: "-DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT / KINDS OF WORK / men are more focussed / move back 4 /-USE A SINGLE IMAGE / no development / move back 3". Next page 7 "-BE AMIABLE / wimp backdoor / move back 2 / -BE AGGRESSIVE / 'B' word applies / only men are / aggressive / move back 2." Next page: "-GET A REVIEW / just so they spell / your name right / move foreward 4 / -SHOW WITH LEO / CASTELLI OR MARY / BOONE / impossible move / you lose." Next page: "-BE UNDER 30 / this only works for / a man - you are / unseasoned / move back 3 / -YOU'RE OVER 30 / to old / move back 3." Next page: "'-BE A CHARACTER' / the media loves it / move ahead 3 / THE A 'WILD' LIFE / if you live the / media will love it / move ahead 3".

.10) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5, pink. Entitled "self-por*trait", (self'eor'trit) (-trat') depicting spines of books on various subjects of interest to the artist. Includes copy of a bookplate with words "From the library / of" & "COLLECTIONS" and photo of the artist. Signed "Gail Smuda / 152/175" in pencil lower right corner. FREELANCE PROJECT DIRECTOR" as titles on the edges of the spines of the books. "INSTALLATION / and DESIGN" "ARTIST BOOKS" "ART TEACHER" "ART" "MUSIC" "COOKBOOK" "small objects" "books". On the bottom is: "COLLECTED WORKS". "-N. A Portrait, Pictorial or Verbal of oneself created by / oneself."

.11) Single sheet, 11 x 8.5", pink. Entitled in red Magic Marker "DiviDe / AND / DistrAct", with repeated typescript names of Hillary, Barbara, Marilyn, and Tipper. Signed "'No Real Issues Please' Smuda 163/175" in pencil.

.12) Single sheet, 11 x 8.5", heavy pink paper. Yellow envelope is glued to paper, with 4 colored cards emerging from it; cards marked "WATER" on blue sheet, "FIRE" red sheet, "WIND" on white sheet, and "EARTH" on tan sheet. In top right corner: ".... AND YOU". Signed "'All I'll Ever Need' - Smuda 1/250" in pencil.

.13) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5", beige. Color image of woman artist from an advertisement, entitled "PLAYING AT ART / PLAYING AT LIFE". In script at bottom: "offensive / advertising / series / \Women as / Dabblers". Signed "SMUDA /81" in black. "For the Fendi Woman only a few things in life are essential". "Does This {or}" arrow that points to the word "Fendi". The studio was empty. / My Fendi warmed me / against the intruding chill of / Fall. I approach the dusty / canvas like one too long away from / friend. Soon the afternoon and I / were swept away in a world of / images and color. Self, and self / expression, rediscovered." "Denise Forti".

.14) Single sheet, 5" x 11", heavy cream paper. Images of Michelangelo's's David, van Gogh self-portrait, and Mona Lisa. Entitled "ART AS RELIGION / POSSIBILITY OR REALITY?" Asterisk by each image, indicating "NOMINATED FOR SAINTHOOD / additional nominations accepted through this office". Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner on the front.

.15) Color copy, single sheet, 11" X 8.5" , entitled "ART & MARKETING". Captioned upper right corner: "PACKAGING / CONTAIN IT / FRAME IT". Images of three impressionist paintings superimposed on lipstick ad. Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.16) Color copy, single sheet, 11" x 8.5", entitled "JUNE 30, 1982 --> LEARNING PROCESS". Image of woman superimposed on typescript definition of the word political. Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.17) Color copy, single sheet, 11" x 8 .5", entitled "Fashion Hostages". Three images of people, with caption "The Japanese / continue to push fashion / concepts to new limits." Signed "Smuda 84" in pencil lower right corner. "Fashion / hostages" is made up of different cut-out letters.

.18) Color copy, single sheet, 11.3" x 8.5", untitled. Image of woman and two lipsticks. Signed "Smuda 2/20 '83'" in pencil across the bottom.

.19) Color copy, single sheet, 11.1" x 8.5", entitled "COLOR ......... FAST". In red below: "Because You're So / Colorless". Also, printed "Don't you love being a woman?" and "offensive / advertising / series" in script lower right corner. Signed "SMUDA /81" in black in the image.

.20) Color copy, single sheet, 11" x 8.5". Images of a couple, a woman, and a tobacco label, with colored shapes and interesting straight lines. Text: "UNION / WORK{ }AN / TOBAC{ }O". Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.21) Color copy, single sheet, 11" x 8.5". V-Mail form with 3 black and white photos from WWII movies superimposed on red and blue with white stars. Circle ("censor's stamp") in top left corner with words: "FEM-ART / CONCORD, N.H." and image of eye. Signed "Smuda" in pencil bottom center. Adhesive label: "COPY". Print the complete address in plain letters in the panel below, and your return / address in the space provided on the right. Use typewritter, dark ink or dark / pencil. Faint or small writing is not suitable for photographing. (S...address above). At the bottom left: "HAVE YOU FILLED IN COM- / PLETE ADDRESS AT TOP?" (repeated) In the center there are 2 lines: "REPLY ..... / V...---MAIL". "Post Office".

.22) Single sheet, 8.5" x 11", green. Circle with image of two children playing and printed passage about white men, written by a Native American. Border of leaves. Bottom right corner burned. Signed "Smuda / 169/175" in pencil.

.23) Single sheet, 8.5" x 10.95", gray with peach-colored strip glued to right side. Image of Christa McAuliffe and two children on typescript background: "WOMANWIFEMOTHERCOMMUNITYACTIVISTPARISHIONER" and "TEACHERTEACHERTEACHERTEACHERTEACHER", both repeated several times. Entitled "One Of Ours" italic script. Typescript at bottom: "concordnh1986concordnh1986", repeated several times. The first one of the repeated concord has comma after. Signed "37/250 Smuda" in pencil.

.24) Single sheet, 8.5" x 11", white. Image of Edward R. Murrow, entitled "PATRON SAINT". Includes two Murrow quotes and 4 images of TV's with words "watches over / demise / of potential / of TV". Murrow's image has gold halo with letters "tv" and "TV" repeated inside. At top: "GERALDO DONAHUE OPRAH POVICH HARD COPY RUSH LIMBAUGH A CURRENT AFFAIR". "IT HAS BEEN REMARKED HERE BEFORE ON THIS PROGRAM, AS A MATTER OF/ PERSONAL OPINION , THAT WE AS A NATION SEEM TO BE SEARCHING FOR EASY AND / QUICK SOLUTIONS - SOME MAGIC FORMULA, SOME CAPSULE THAT WILL CAUSE OUR / CONFUSIONS AND DIFFICULTIES TO EVAPORATE. WE SEEM TO BE LIVING IN AN AGE / OF DISILLUSIONMENT, A MEASURE OF DISAPPOINTMENT, PLUS SOME CONSIDERABLE / FRUSTRATION. Edward R. Murrow, April 3, 1951." "THIS INSTRUMENT CAN TEACH, IT CAN ILLUMINATE; YES IT CAN EVEN INSPIRE. / BUT IT CAN ONLY DUE SO TO THE EXTENT THAT HUMANS ARE DETERMINED TO USE IT / TO THOSE ENDS." Edward R. Murrow, October 15, 1958." Signed "'Patron Saint' - 1994 Smuda 13/175" in pencil.

.25) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5", heavy beige paper with two folds. Two images of Statue of Liberty and one of Ronald Reagan with a quote. On typescript background of repeated words: "THEREHEGOESAGAINTHEREHEGOESAGAIN ..." Left hand block of text single quote: "I don't think the/ Lord that blessed / this country as no / other country has / ever been blessed / intends for us to / have to someday / negotiate because / of our weakness.' / -President Reagon". Signed "Smuda" in pencil. Earth reports continue / to circulate on this / rather small and insig- / nificant planet that / once again God is / 'choosing up sides'. / Miss Liberty continues / to rust along with the / dead ideals of a society / that at one time thought / the 'Might Makes Right' / school of demagoguery."

.26) Single sheet, 10.6" x 8 .15", beige, entitled "WATCHING / THE / WORLD / GO / BYE". Images of mushroom cloud behind NH State House and of a woman's eyes, superimposed on a map of NH. Signed "SMUDA" in the image.

.27) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5", beige. Images of John Wayne, framed "John Wayne" pistol engraved with "John Wayne...", and stars. Entitled "JOHN WAYNE AMERICAN / MISSING THE WAR IN nicaragua". He was one of a kind / Loved and respected around the world as / the symbol of America as its.../ In more than 150 films (covered over) Iwo / Jima to The Green Berets to / he captured our essence / values. Our deep sense (covered over). Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.28) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5", beige. Image of angels and of movie stars including John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and James Cagney. Entitled "PRAYING / TO THE / PAST" upper left corner. Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.29) Single sheet, 8.5" x 11", beige. Image of Ronald Reagan's head on smaller body. Entitled "THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING PRESIDENT". Behind this in the background: "STRIKE ANY.{WHERE} ../ {MA}TCH {ES}...Signed "Smuda" in pencil lower right corner.

.30) Single sheet, 11" x 8.5", cream-colored. Images of dancers and Nancy Reagan. Entitled "All She Wants To Do Is Dance". With typescript: "they're picking up prisoners and putting them in a pen / AND ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS DANCE", repeated several times. Signed "Smuda" in pencil in lower left corner.

.31) Single sheet, 17.05" x 11", yellow. Entitled "SAVE" upper left corner, with images of various people, an elephant, stars and stripes, and space for "YOUR MESSAGE HERE". Signed "Smuda" in pencil.

Material:

Paper
Composition

Credit Line:

Gift of Gail Smuda

People:

Smuda, Gail (1942- ), McAuliffe, Christa (1948-1986)

Subjects:

Xerographic art, Photocopies