“School of the Slip,” created by Robert Indiana in 2004, is a sculpture representative of the Neo-Dada art movement. This exquisite piece showcases the artist’s innovative approach to integrating text and found objects, creating a thought-provoking assemblage.
The artwork features a vertical wooden beam, around which multiple metal, brass-like hand grips, resembling tack hooks, are strategically affixed. These hooks are arranged in two vertical columns, each holding three objects with an intricate design. Near the base of the wooden beam, the numbers “27 35” and the years “1957 1969” are painted in bold red, seemingly stenciled for a precise and impactful appearance. Atop the beam, a golden, conical object crowns the sculpture, providing a visual culmination to the towering structure. The artwork stands on a dark-colored base, grounding the entire piece and offering stark contrast to the otherwise natural and metallic hues. This amalgamation of form, texture, and numerical symbolism exemplifies Robert Indiana’s evocative artistic narrative within the Neo-Dada genre.
