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Profile Airflow
Profile Airflow was made in 1969 by Claes Oldenburg in the United States. Constructed of cast polyurethane resin, a two-tone lithograph, and an aluminum frame. The piece measures 36.375 x 68.375 x 6.25 inches and is hung on a wall. The print and sculptural aspect of the piece was inspired by the Chrysler Airflow which was produced from 1934 until 1937.

The two color lithograph has three major elements: a grid, a drawing, and three writings. The first aspect of the lithograph is the grid, an 8 x 4 rectilinear drawing featuring solid lines crossed at 21 intersections. The second feature is the drawing of a Chrysler Airflow. This drawing is a technical drawing that does not feature measurements but renders a flat left side view of the vehicle. The third feature of the drawing is the three writings. On the far left bottom corner is an edition marker #/75 for whichever of the 75 of the pieces that is on view. The center bottom of the lithograph has, “Profile Airflow” written, while the right hand bottom has the signature of the artist written in the format, “Oldenburg 69”. The bottom right hand side also serves to tell the viewer when the work was made. Next the sculptural aqua tinted polyurethane resin is cast into a three dimensional form. This casting illustrates the shapes from the automobile and gives dimensionality to the drawing of the vehicle. This is all framed by pieces of aluminum.

A composition almost balanced, more weight is put on the right hand side inherent in the design of the vehicle. The automobile is slightly askew from the grid which causes a level of frustration upon viewing the piece. When the piece is viewed straight on the two major aspects, the lithograph and the polyurethane resin, become synced to create a harmonious feeling of resolution between the two objects. When the piece is viewed at even the slightest angle that harmony is replaced with a tension and want for the perfection of viewing straight on. This feature can become extremely distracting. It will cause the viewer to move around the object trying to reconcile and find equilibrium within the work. The lithograph’s hard lined grid plays off the softness of the polyurethane resin cast. The car’s soft lines and forms makes the viewer want to reach out and touch the piece. Overall the piece is highly refined and pleasing to the eye. The aqua tinted polyurethane resin is not distracting. The color choices overall are controlled and methodical. The pale blue serves to produce a calming and serene feeling while the straight black lines and graphite grey of the print compliment without overpowering the other elements. The aluminum frame reminds the viewer of the industrial processes involved in the creation of the automobile. The polyurethane resin automobile relief is the dominant aspect of the entire piece. Affixed to the center of the work. It creates depth, interest, and content.

The print is clearly a background for this object. While the polyurethane resin profile of the vehicle is the foreground to the work. The material choices and the techniques used are balanced and appropriate. The model of the Chrysler Airflow is made from vacuum formed sheets of polyurethane resin. They used this new vacuum forming technique to reflect the Chrysler Airflow being the first car to be designed to be aerodynamic. This technique was not only new and highly experimental, but took trial and error to get the correct shape to come out of the machine. The polyurethane resin sheets were not ultraviolet light stable, when the first additions were sent out the aqua color turned olive green. They all had to be recalled and remade.

This piece of work flirts with the line between sculptural print and print with sculpture. The sculptural element of the three dimensional car breaks the piece off of the wall. This element being translucent works well to capture light. Placement in front of a window during the morning to the middle of the day creates an ambient glow to the entire casting. Creating a lightness in weight, composition, and feeling. The texture of the piece is smooth and consistent. It lives up to its namesake. Overall the piece is evocative of an era when there were new ideas and breakthroughs in automotive design, art, and manufacturing. This piece works to bring those factors together to create a new work.