Analogía I, (2da. versión)

Léon-Victor Dupré

MEDIUMPotatoes, zinc and copper electrodes, voltmeter, electrical cable and nylon monofilament, chair, wood, cloth, and text panel
DIMENSIONSDimensions vary with installation
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONContemporary Art
CREDIT LINEJointly acquired by The Art Institute of Chicago, prior gift of Adeline Yates; and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with funds contributed by the Committee on Modern and Contemporary Art

Stop and see an artwork powered by potatoes! This installation uses organic materials to generate electricity, inviting you to ponder hidden energies and the surprising connections between nature and technology.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This installation, "Analogía I," presents an unexpected electrical circuit made from everyday objects. You'll see potatoes, zinc and copper electrodes, and electrical cables arranged on a simple wooden chair, all connected to a voltmeter. The work explores the potential for energy in organic materials, transforming humble potatoes into a power source. It invites us to consider the hidden energies around us and the often-overlooked connections between natural elements and technology. The title, "Analogía I," suggests a comparison or a parallel, perhaps between the life force in the potatoes and the electrical current they generate, or between scientific experimentation and artistic creation. This piece challenges traditional notions of what constitutes art and technology, creating a quiet, thought-provoking display.

ART MOVEMENTS
Barbizon school
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The arrangement of potatoes, neatly pierced with electrodes.

2

The thin wires connecting each potato, forming a visible circuit.

3

The voltmeter display, showing the generated electrical current.

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Audio Deep Dive

Stop and see an artwork powered by potatoes! This installation uses organic materials to generate electricity, inviting you to ponder hidden energies and the s…

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THE ARTIST
Léon-Victor Dupré 1816–1879 · France

Léon-Victor Dupré, a French landscape painter, followed in his brother Jules's footsteps, capturing the quiet beauty of the French countryside.

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