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Office

Series TitleContinuity
Artist John Divola (American, born 1949)
Date2002
MediumGelatin silver prints
DimensionsImage (each): 7 7/16 × 9 3/8 inches (18.85 × 23.83 cm)
Sheet (each): 8 1/16 × 10 inches (20.47 × 25.4 cm)
Framed (each): 12 5/8 × 14 1/4 × 1 1/4 inches (32.07 × 36.2 × 3.18 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Hall Family Foundation
Object number2018.32.6.1-36
SignedSigned on mount verso of the first image in the series, on label, lower right, black type with black pen: “John Divola / “The Office,” 2002 / one of a kind / Thirty-Six Original Vintage / Hollywood Continuity Still Photographs / 36 Panels / © John Divola / [signature]”
InscribedIndividually numbered and initialed on artist’s label, on backing board, lower left corner, black type with black pen: “John Divola / “Office.” 2002 / one of a kind / Thirty-Six Original Vintage / Hollywood Continuity Still Photographs / One of 36 Panels / #[1-33] / JD”
Markingsnone
Edition/State/Proofed. unique
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionThirty-six original vintage Hollywood continuity still photographs of offices. Most of the rooms have desks, armchairs, and a sign with the movie title or character name written in chalk.Gallery Label

These discarded 1930s film stills of "offices" record Warner Bros. Studios sets. They were originally used to create continuity across different film takes. John Divola found in them compelling parallels to his own practice of photographing fabricated scenes in which he blurs the fictive and evidentiary functions of photography .

Provenance
The Hall Family Foundation, Kansas City, MO, 2018;   
Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2018.
Copyright© John Divola
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