Drifting Toward Twilight

Maker Betye Saar (American, born 1926)

ClassificationsSCULPTURE

Date2023

Mediummixed media assemblage installation

Dimensionscanoe: 33 × 34 × 204 in. (83.8 × 86.4 × 518.2 cm.) sentinel 1: 36 × 15 × 15 in. (91.4 × 38.1 × 38.1 cm.) sentinel 1 stool: 6 × 10 × 8 1/2 in. (15.2 × 25.4 × 21.6 cm.) sentinel 2: 36 × 15 × 15 in. (91.4 × 38.1 × 38.1 cm.) sentinel 2 stool: 6 × 10 × 8 1/2 in. (15.2 × 25.4 × 21.6 cm.) passenger 1: 32 × 14 × 14 in. (81.3 × 35.6 × 35.6 cm.) passenger 2: 32 × 14 × 14 in. (81.3 × 35.6 × 35.6 cm.) passenger 3: 35 × 15 × 15 in. (88.9 × 38.1 × 38.1 cm.) mount (each canoe base/stand): 4 × 121 × 48 in. (10.2 × 307.3 × 121.9 cm.)

DescriptionA solitary canoe is installed at a diagonal in the gallery. A mysterious trio of passengers are transported by two figures who are guided by the phases of the moon to an unknown destination. Gathered natural materials cover the canoe support and a gentle neon light underneath creates the illusion that the canoe is floating. Gallery lighting mimics the passing of time and the movement of the sun.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Commissioned through Roberts Projects, Los Angeles. This acquisition was made possible by a leadership gift from Mei-Lee Ney. Major support was also provided by the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation, Terry Perucca and Annette Serrurier, Faye and Robert C. Davidson, Jr., and the Virginia Steele Scott Endowment for American Art.

CopyrightCourtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles

Status

Not on view

Object number2023.15