POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'USA' chandelier by Julia + Ken Yonetani

Object No. 2016/30/1

The chandelier is part of an installation created in response to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. There are 31 chandeliers in the installation, each representing a country with nuclear power stations. Their sizes correspond to the nuclear capacity in that country, with the USA chandelier being the largest. All chandeliers are densely covered with specially sourced uranium glass beads and feature uranium glass crystal pendants. When lit in darkness, the ultraviolet light tubes react with the uranium inside the glass to create a fluorescent green effect, reminiscent of the presence of radiation. (Uranium glass contains very small traces of uranium and poses no health risks). Working with a thrilling variety of conventional and unconventional materials including sugar and salt, Ken (b 1971, Tokyo) who is Japanese with Australian residency, and his Australian partner Julia (b 1972, Tokyo) are among the most creative contemporary artists emerging on the international art scene today. They explore environmental concerns through powerful installations such as the 'Sweet Barrier Reef' which comments on the effects of climate change and was first shown at the 2009 Venice Biennale. Other international shows include an installation at the 2013 Singapore Biennale and a major solo exhibition at the Abbey de Maubuisson in Paris in 2015. The Yonetanis divide their time between Australia and Japan. The Fukushima plant accident had a profound effect on the artists and this installation explores their deeply-felt sense of fear associated with the impacts of radiation. Inspired by the world's first large-scale international expo, the 1851 Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, the artists have created a provocative statement on our accelerating seduction with nuclear technology and power. Eerily beautiful, they mesmerize the viewer with the chandeliers' magical presence while also posing timely questions. The artists explain: 'You can't see, smell or perceive radiation with your senses, but it becomes visible in our works when illuminated with ultraviolet lights... We hope to prompt viewers to react in their own way to this radioactive presence.' (Interview, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 2016) In the MAAS context, this multi-media artwork highlights this Museum's own history and its interlinked arts, design and technology collections: MAAS was modelled on London's South Kensington Museum (now The Victoria & Albert Museum), a direct result of the Great Exhibition. This Museum also originated as a response to the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, the first world's fair in the southern hemisphere. Eva Czernis-Ryl, Curator, 2016

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Summary

Object Statement

Chandelier, 'USA' from art installation 'Crystal Palace: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nuclear Nations', uranium glass / UV lights / metal, made by Ken + Julia Yonetani, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia, 2013

Physical Description

A two-tier, 36-arm chandelier constructed from purpose-made undulating copper frames lined with uranium cream-yellow glass veneers and holding clear glass sconces, set with 36 dark-blue ultraviolet light tubes in black sockets. All arms, sconces and central armature are densely coated (glued) with masses of small uranium glass beads arranged in rows and have suspended flexible festoons made from crystal beads and pendants threaded on thin metal wires. There is one extra light tube in the object's centre. When connected to electricity source, the 37 ultraviolet light bulbs create a fluorescent green effect with the cream-yellow glass beads to represent radiation.

DIMENSIONS

Height

2000 mm

Width

1600 mm

Weight

80 kg

PRODUCTION

Notes

Designed by the artists, assembled by artists with armature made by contractors. While other chandeliers in the installation are constructed using antique metal frames, the frame for this one was purpose-made to the artists' design and specifications. The artists beaded and decorated the chandelier at their Katoomba studio in the Blue Mountains. There are over 50 000 beads alltogether on the work, including those stuck on the arms. The chandelier structure was sourced from the USA (also relevant to it being the USA) and the uranium beads come from Czech Republic. UV bulbs were ordered from Germany:

HISTORY

Notes

The chandelier was displayed in several exhibitions since the inaugural installation of the entire group at the Singapore Biennale in 2013. The latest showing was at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 2016.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased with funds donated through the annual appeal and from the MAAS Foundation, 2016

Acquisition Date

31 August 2016

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