Symbol Guitar

Late 1990's-Early 2000's

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 199

On loan to The Met

This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.

This guitar takes the form of Prince’s "Love Symbol," a glyph he devised to assert artistic freedom and identity. Fusing the astrological symbols for Mars and Venus, the emblem amplifies the male/female duality inherent in the guitar’s phallic neck and curvaceous body. The instrument echoes the opening lyrics of the musician’s "I Would Die 4 U" (1984): "I’m not a woman, I’m not a man / I am something that you’ll never understand."

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Symbol Guitar
Date: Late 1990's-Early 2000's
Medium: Wood, metal, plastic
Dimensions: 38.5 x 18.5 x 3 in.
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
Credit Line: Collection of Tavis Smiley, California
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments