Variant edition of 200 cups constructed from recycled tin cans from 2001-2003.
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.
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.
18.75”H x 8.5”W x 8”D
cup: “Hershey’s Pure Milk Chocolate” early 1900’s illustration of girl on brown, red, off-white; demitasse w. brass handle 126/200
saucer: same
cup level: “What is your identity” on gold & white UPC tin
cup: “Trail’s end colossal circus” circus with red & white top edge; demitasse w. silver handle 119/200
saucer: “King Leo” circus lion illustration on red and white
cup level: Bank of America credit card standing in resin
cup: “Bartlett Pear” vintage illustration on tan pattern; brass handle 81/200
saucer: same
cup level: “Everyone owns it now you should too” on brown tin
cup: “Gourmet Manor Irish Whiskey Cake” dark green net pattern w. brown & off-white; brass handle 120/200
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: teapot, cup & strawberries still life painting in muted browns; brass handle 112/200
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: clowns playing with kids illustration, pinks & purples on off-white; brass handles 117/200
saucer: “Season’s Greetings Emmett Kelly Jr.” clown faces wreath w. holly on off-white
cup level: “Do you know what you’re going to say”
cup: “Swedish Gingersnaps” on red w. mustard design on edge; brass handle 119/200
saucer: same
cup level: brown tin
cup: “Mermaid Butter Cookies” cookies photo on brown; brass handle 121/200
saucer: same
cup level: cookie cut-out tin in brown resin
Available for purchase or exhibition.
Photography by Philip Cohen
© Harriete Estel Berman, 2021