Black and Grey Toaster

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Object Details

Artist

Margarita Cabrera, born Monterrey, Mexico 1973

Exhibition Label

Margarita Cabrera’s faux-leather appliances are reminders that many household electronics are made in factories in Mexico. The obvious craft process of sewing—emphasized by the exposed threads—symbolically makes visible the exploited human labor involved with mass production. Cabrera, who was born in Mexico and lives in Arizona, relates the sagging vinyl forms to the underpaid workers who help provide basic comforts in American homes.

This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, 2022

Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment

Copyright

Date

2011

Object number

2012.36

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

vinyl, copper wire and thread

Dimensions

7 1/4 x 10 1/2 x 7 1/8 in. (18.4 x 26.7 x 18.1 cm)

See more items in

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department

Painting and Sculpture

Data Source

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic

Object\other\appliance

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7df8b9c1c-6076-4c9d-88b0-8bf2dec0df60

Record ID

saam_2012.36