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We'd rather play games than watch TV.
We'd rather play games than watch TV.

We'd rather play games than watch TV.

Portfolio TitleSuburbia
Artist Bill Owens (American, born 1938)
Dateca. 1972; printed 1998
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsUnframed: 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Robert Koch in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Object number2007.54.43
SignedVerso: artist's signature in pencil; photographer's stamp: "Copyright Bill Owens/ Publishers Copy/ Printed 1998"
Edition/State/Proofed. 1/5
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionTwo young girls, seated on floor watching television.
Portfolio; These prints were made in 1998 at the time of the publication of a new (expanded) edition of the original Suburbia book.
Copyright© Bill Owens
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.


This is Valerie's world in miniature. She makes it what she wants it to be...without war, racial hate or misunderstanding. Ken and Barbie (dolls) are man and woman rather than Mom and Dad. They enjoy living and having a camper truck is the good life.
This is Valerie's world in miniature. She makes it what she wants it to be...without war, racial hate or misunderstanding. Ken and Barbie (dolls) are man and woman rather than Mom and Dad. They enjoy living and having a camper truck is the good life.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.34
I don't like the space walk. It's Saturday morning and I want to see cartoons.
I don't like the space walk. It's Saturday morning and I want to see cartoons.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.42
The California garage today, out of necessity, requires that you move the cars out and the tools in. To a point I enjoy working in the garage, but I'd rather be doing something else.
The California garage today, out of necessity, requires that you move the cars out and the tools in. To a point I enjoy working in the garage, but I'd rather be doing something else.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.18
Fourteen years ago Dublin, California was a crossroads on U.S. 50 and Highway 21. The population was less than 1,000 (most of them cows). Today Dublin is the crossroads of Interstate Highways 580 and 680 with a population over 25,000 people.
Fourteen years ago Dublin, California was a crossroads on U.S. 50 and Highway 21. The population was less than 1,000 (most of them cows). Today Dublin is the crossroads of Interstate Highways 580 and 680 with a population over 25,000 people.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.115
Some days when there is no one to play with I build Glenn a tent play house out of two chairs and two blankets.
Some days when there is no one to play with I build Glenn a tent play house out of two chairs and two blankets.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.77
My kids love soccer and this is Saturday morning before the game.
My kids love soccer and this is Saturday morning before the game.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.69
We really enjoy living in a mobile home. My hobby is collecting coins and my wife plays her Wurlitzer for entertainment.
We really enjoy living in a mobile home. My hobby is collecting coins and my wife plays her Wurlitzer for entertainment.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.23
We like to play war.
We like to play war.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.96
It's a great pleasure to watch yourself make love in the six dozen mirrors that line the ceilings and walls. I've spent a tremendous amount of thought and planning to get the total effect of the bedroom.
It's a great pleasure to watch yourself make love in the six dozen mirrors that line the ceilings and walls. I've spent a tremendous amount of thought and planning to get the total effect of the bedroom.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.36
Our house is built with the living room in the back, so in the evenings we sit out front of the garage and watch the traffic go by.
Our house is built with the living room in the back, so in the evenings we sit out front of the garage and watch the traffic go by.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.113
There is nothing to do in Suburbia.
There is nothing to do in Suburbia.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.100
Untitled
Untitled
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.110