Fritz Dreisbach, born Cleveland, OH 1941 Search this
Medium:
glass
Dimensions:
part A: 11 3/4 x 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (29.8 x 16.5 x 10.8 cm) part B: 11 3/4 x 7 3/4 x 6 in. (29.8 x 19.7 x 15.2 cm)
Type:
Decorative Arts-Glass
Crafts
Date:
1988
Luce Center Label:
A Tribute to Will Rogers, "A Ropin' Fool" is part of Fritz Dreisbach's series "Art vs Craft Reversible," a witty comment on the art/craft debate. When bowl-side up, the pieces serve as functional drinking vessels; flipped over, the twirling stems become purely decorative sculptures. These pieces are also called his Lariat Goblets, because of the resemblance between the stem, whose shape forms naturally during the glassblowing process, and an undulating lariat, a long stiff rope used to lasso livestock. Dreisbach crafted them in tribute to the legendary American humorist and cowboy entertainer Will Rogers. The artist's title extends the wit and humor, referring to Rogers's 1922 film Ropin' Fool, which captured his fancy rope work.
Luce Object Quote:
"I always try to show movement and gesture in all my glasswork." The artist, quoted in Shaw, "Artists' divergent styles meet at Pittsburgh Glass Center's Hodge Gallery," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 4, 2003
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Elmerina and Paul Parkman
