Label
Cork Marcheschi
Wall sculpture
20” x 12” x 1”
Argon-mercury filled tubes with phosphor coating and blockout paint
Gift of Anne Forinash Friend Living Trust, donated in 2005
This piece consists of two neon rectangles with different phosphor coatings. The tubes are painted with blockout paint on the side facing the viewer. Blockout paint is a traditional tool of the trade used on neon signs to stop certain parts on a sign from being visible. The light from both tubes creates a backlight effect and a nuance of color, demonstrating additive color mixing and its possibilities through a minimal composition.
Cork Marcheschi began experimenting with light-art in 1966. His early pieces reveal the workings of electricity, and have interactive elements. In the MONA entrance hallway you can view one of his pieces that has exposed arrangements of wires, and transformers. His work also directly references and reacts to the viewer, as shown by the foot pedal that operates the hallway work. Marcheschi is internationally recognized for his large-scale public light sculptures that feature soaring modernist forms and jewel colors. Fifty of his public sculptures are installed throughout the United States. Marcheschi studied at the California College of Arts in Oakland, CA, where he earned a MFA in sculpture. He also studied at California State College, Hayward, CA, and College of San Mateo, San Mateo, CA. His art has been featured in over 130 solo art exhibitions throughout the world. He is based out of San Francisco and has taught sculpture, critical studies and art history at the University of California at Berkeley, the San Francisco Art Institute, Pilchuck Glass School, and the Minneapolis College of Art, Minnesota.