Variant edition of 200 cups constructed from recycled tin cans from 2001-2004.
Each cup has a different product identity.
Sterling silver or brass handles, gold rivets.
On the top of each cup are words or comments inspired by advertising. Each letter is cut from a tin can.
The tinted resin fills each cup to overflowing as if it were filled with "tea".
A concealed rod holds each stack of cups together in a precarious position. Not unlike our current economy which has been severly impacted by overspending and consuming without regard for realistic finances.
17”H x 7.5”W x 8.5”D
top cup: “Vialetto VI” romantic woman eating crackers on soft pink & green w. pink flowers; demitasse w. brass handle 135/200
saucer: “Aretto Delicato Aletto” on soft pink & green w. floral design
cup level: “Can you act on your own advice” on gold & white UPC
cup: “Nutrition Facts” maroon with white lettering; demitasse with silver handle 85/200
saucer: “Famous Danish Select” gold on maroon
cup level: “Guilt” on photo of belt buckles
cup: “Crabtree & Evelyn” children bathing in the sea Victorian illustration on light blue; brass handle 141/200
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: star cowboy w. Victorian couple in snow, blue & yellow; grande mug w. brass handle 107/20
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: “100th Anniversary Tootsie Roll” with brown & red swirl pattern; demitasse w. brass handle 100/200
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: “Nestle Pretzel FLIPZ” chocolate pretzels w. red on metallic aqua blue; grande mug w. silver handle 140/200
saucer: same
cup level: plastic CD with image of purple robot, resin & glitter fill
cup: “from old fashioned” cow head illustration on blue and brown; brass handle 82/200
saucer: same
cup level: resin
Each cup is unique.
2 5/8” height approx
5 ½” width approx.
Height of the teacups and the retail price vary according to how many cups there are in the stack.
Watch the video "The Fabrication Process" to see how the cups were assembled along with the social commentary about our consumer society.
Available for purchase or exhibition.
Photography by Philip Cohen
© Harriete Estel Berman, 2021