Perpetual Photo No. 234

Perpetual Photo No. 234

1982/1990
Artist
Allan McCollum, American, 1944-
Born: Los Angeles, CA
Work Locations: New York, NY
Object
photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Accession Number
1990.136.1
Credit Line
Funds from Joyce and Ted Strauss and general funds
Allan McCollum (American). Perpetual Photo No. 234. 1982/1990. Gelatin silver print. Funds from Joyce and Ted Strauss and general funds. 1990.136.1.
Dimensions
image height: 39.5 in, 100.3300 cm; image width: 59.5 in, 151.1300 cm; frame height: 45.063 in, 114.4600 cm; frame width: 65 in, 165.1000 cm
Inscription
"[arrow pointing up] 234 TOP" on L of verso.
Department
Photography
Collection
Photography

McCollum noticed that TV shows often have framed copies of art on the walls in the background. He photographed his screen to capture those pictures on film, then enlarged them to make big, grainy prints that just barely resemble the television image or the original artwork. McCollum’s title, Perpetual Photo, suggests that his image is but one in an endless chain of reproductions and hints that content, originality, and authorship all fade with each successive repetition of a picture.

Known Provenance
Purchased November 1990 from [John Weber Gallery, New York, NY] by DAM. Funds from Joyce and Ted Strauss and general funds.
Exhibition History
  • "Allan McCollum: Perpetual Photos"—Denver Art Museum, 9/1/1990–11/4/1990
  • "Photography & Vision: The Influence of Joyce and Ted Strauss"—Denver Art Museum, 6/8/2014 - 1/25/2015