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Ken Butler
"Machine Gun Guitar III" Hybrid Instrument Wall Assemblage Sculpture

2019

About the Item

Machine Gun Guitar This sculpture created by Ken Butler is part guitar part machine gun. (the gun is a toy). It is made in the spirit of absurdity many surrealists embraced using found objects in functional scenarios. Ken Butler is renowned for his innovative approach to creating hybrid sculpture-instruments. He merges disparate elements such as lawn mowers and toy machine guns, skillfully grafting them together to produce multifaceted and functional sculptures. These unique creations not only challenge traditional notions of musical instruments but also serve as artistic statements that blend form and function in unexpected and thought-provoking ways. Butler's work invites viewers to reconsider the boundaries between art, music, and everyday objects, showcasing his creativity and craftsmanship. Created primarily from urban detritus, the hybrid instruments express a poetic spirit of reinvention and hyper-utility with hidden meanings and associations. String instruments become body, tool, weapon, toy, symbol, machine, phallus, creature, sculpture, icon, and voice.
  • Creator:
    Ken Butler (American)
  • Creation Year:
    2019
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU69214863472

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