Dry Bones

Mose Tolliver

1985

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On two large panels, a black v-shape made of paint, signs, and other material appears in the center of a grey field of paint. In the top center section, a microphone is placed, its cord hanging down and connecting into a sandbox filled with cards that have word "secret" on them.
Black and white photograph of John Lennon, wearing a black shirt and gray jacket, donning a somewhat wry smile.
Pink gouache applied, with varying degrees of opacity, to paper over two vertical lines approximately 1 1/2 inches from either end. Paper is scored vertically in the approximate center and scored 1 7/8 inches from left side.
A life-size one-piece fabric costume with an elongated (36 inch), "stove pipe" head. The costume is adorned with multicolored doilies and buttons. It is presented on a standing mannequin; the mannequin's feet wear a pair of hand-knitted socks that end just above the knee. Only the mannequin's hands are visible. Balancing on the mannequin's shoulders is a metal armature that supports the "stovepipe".