Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future
"Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future" comprises seven prints that reflect López's interest in architecture, urban studies, as well as social, political, cultural, geographical, and economic history. She draws from multiple sources to create the buildings depicted, which she terms "hypothetical hybrids" in that they combine elements from existing architecture, buildings that are found only in the imagination, and visionary structures that were never realized and therefore are known only through sketches, architectural models, and written descriptions.
To create these prints, López invented an innovative--and dangerous process--that she has only used for this series: explosive intaglio, which, as the name implies, involves the use of powerful explosives. She created hand-cut stencils, which she placed on copper etching plates and, working in a remote area in the desert, López subjected the plates to a series of blasts created by dangerous explosives, which then imprinted the images from the stencils, as well as splatters and other marks that reflect the process of creation, on the surface of the plates. In the words of the artist, "The buildings are created through a moment of violent transformation, their possibility and destruction envisioned simultaneously."
To create these prints, López invented an innovative--and dangerous process--that she has only used for this series: explosive intaglio, which, as the name implies, involves the use of powerful explosives. She created hand-cut stencils, which she placed on copper etching plates and, working in a remote area in the desert, López subjected the plates to a series of blasts created by dangerous explosives, which then imprinted the images from the stencils, as well as splatters and other marks that reflect the process of creation, on the surface of the plates. In the words of the artist, "The buildings are created through a moment of violent transformation, their possibility and destruction envisioned simultaneously."
Artwork Details
- Title: Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future
- Artist: Nicola López (American, born Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1975)
- Printer: Marina Ancona (American, born New York, 1971)
- Printer: 10 Grand Press
- Publisher: Nicola López (American, born Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1975)
- Date: 2012
- Medium: Explosive intaglio
- Dimensions: varies within the set:
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Block Building) 2012; Paper 13” x 17”, Image 8” x 11 ¾”
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Globe Sprawl): Paper 17” x 17”, Image 11 ¾” x 12
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Industrial Cluster): Paper 16” x 15”, Image 11” x 9 7/8”
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Pyramid Temple): 16 ¾”, Image 11 ¾” x 12”
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Slab Complex): Paper 13 3/8” x 15”, Image 9” x 9 7/8”
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Spiral Tower): Paper 16 ¾” x 12 7/8”, Image 11 ¾” x 8”
Ideal Structures for a Dubious Future (Tallest Tower): Paper 27” x 11”, Image 22 ¾” x 5 ¾”; 2012 - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: John B. Turner Fund, 2019
- Object Number: 2019.251a–g
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
2012
Multiple artists/makers
2012
Multiple artists/makers
2012
Multiple artists/makers
2012
Multiple artists/makers
2012
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.