Smashed Gibson SG Special in Lucite
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.While a student at Ealing Art College in London, Pete Townshend studied with Gustav Metzger, a founder of the Auto-Destructive Art movement. Embracing material destruction as a protest of capitalist production, Metzger’s philosophies guided the rebellious anger behind the musician’s smashing of instruments. Townshend destroyed this example during a photo shoot with Annie Liebovitz for Rolling Stone that resulted in “How to Launch Your Guitar in 17 Steps” (on view nearby). This sculpture made from the remains has been on display in the Rolling Stone office building for decades since.
Technical Description: Mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, nickel and plastic hardware; smashed and encased in Lucite
Technical Description: Mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, nickel and plastic hardware; smashed and encased in Lucite
Artwork Details
- Title: Smashed Gibson SG Special in Lucite
- Artist: Gibson (American, founded Kalamazoo, Michigan 1902)
- Artist: Pete Townshend
- Date: ca. 1973
- Medium: Lucite, Mahogany, rosewood, metal, plastic
- Dimensions: Height: 57 in. (144.8 cm)
Width: 17.5 in. (44.5 cm)
Depth: 4 in. (10.2 cm) - Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Courtesy of Penske Media Corporation/Rolling Stone
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments