The Sculpture of Ruth Asawa: Contours in the Air - Audio Tour Clip #4: Tied wire sculptures

This is an audio clip from a cell phone tour by Guide by Cell to accompany the exhibition The Sculpture of Ruth Asawa: Contours in the Air at the Japanese American National Museum from March 10 - May 27, 2007. Ruth Asawa is a well-known and talented artist, specializing in woven wire art pieces. She is one of the most influential women artists of the 20th century.

This clip was narrated by Aiko Cuneo, Ruth Asawa's daughter, in March 2007.

Transcription
The tied wire sculptures are called tied wire because they’re tied in bunches with a smaller piece of wire. The bunches are divided, and then these newly created smaller bunches are tied, and then divided again. So, it’s a series of tying and dividing, tying and dividing, tying and dividing. Later on, Ruth’s tied wire sculptures became more geometrical. Instead of using only wire ties, she had to use sauder to keep the wires from shifting. The tied wire sculptures are made with open centers, or tightly bunched, closed centers. Some are mounted on wood bases, some are suspended from the ceiling, and others are mounted on the wall.