printed image of six zebras running in a herd formation; printed in black on red paper; black background with gradated specks in URC, ULC, and LRC

%C2%A9 Mario Avati %2F Artists Rights Society %28ARS%29%2C New York

Six Running Zebras, 1957

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Gift of Muriel Sterneexpand_more  2016.112.4

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French artist Mario Avati loved the contrast of black and white, especially when arrayed in patterns. But here he plays with our expectation that a zebra will be black and white. This image is a good example of the shifting meaning of art in new contexts. A Frenchman might not see this image in the same way as an American schoolchild, who might associate it with that classic riddle, “What’s black and white and read all over'” Here the answer is not “A newspaper!” Rather, “A sunburned zebra!”

Mia has another example of this subject printed on white paper.

Details
Title
Six Running Zebras
Artist Life
(born Monaco), 1921–2009
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2016.112.4
Provenance
The artist’s estate, Paris; his wife; Muriel Sterne, (her sister), Minnetonka, MN
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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printed image of six zebras running in a herd formation; printed in black on red paper; black background with gradated specks in URC, ULC, and LRC

© Mario Avati / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork.