Editorial

Chris Burden: Works in the MCA Collection

Chris Burden, Strangler Hunt Grows, 1979. Newspaper, postcard, gelatin silver print, mask, and patch on paper; 32 3/4 x 40 3/4 in. (83.2 x 103.5 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.27.

Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago

Following the passing of Chris Burden on May 10, we wanted to celebrate his life and work by sharing artworks by Burden in our collection. This is a small sampling of his often-challenging oeuvre in which he constantly questioned the realities and limits of art and life.

A wooden display case featuring, from left to right, a mortar and pestle, a pile of black powder, and two small piles of white powders, with labels in front of each
Chris Burden, 16th Century Gunpowder, 1979. Mortar, pestle, charcoal, potassium nitrate, sulfur, and printed text on paper in glass and wood vitrine; 12 1/8 x 25 x 12 in. (30.8 x 63.5 x 30.5 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, restricted gift of Angela and Rudolf Rossmann, 1992.100.a–k. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Chris Burden, The Other Vietnam Memorial, 1991. Steel, aluminum, and etched anodized copper plates; installed: 176 x 119 x 119 in. (447.0 x 302.3 x 302.3 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.23. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Wooden display case with a fedora atop a double cctv screen and a small white placard reading TVs and Hat
Chris Burden, T.V.s and Hat, 1979. Televisions, hat, sign, and wood and glass vitrine; installed: 16 x 21 x 16 in. (40.6 x 53.3 x 40.6 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.24.a–f. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Chris Burden, Pick, Bottle and Alcohol, 1979. Pick, glass bottle, sign, and wood and glass vitrine; 12 x 22 x 19 in. (30.5 x 55.9 x 48.3 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.25.a–e. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Chris Burden, Spy Kit, 1979. Radios, magnifying glass, lighter, tin box, cloth, razor blade, and wood and glass vitrine; 10 1/4 x 17 x 17 in. (26 x 43.2 x 43.2 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.26.a–k. © MCA Chicago
Chris Burden, Help Ma, 1979. Colored felt-tip pen, colored pencil, gelatin silver prints, and cardboard mounted on paper; 31 7/8 x 40 in. (81 x 101.6 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.28. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Chris Burden, Spook Planes, 1979. Decals, postcard, and newspaper on paper; 30 x 40 in. (76.2 x 101.6 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Lannan Foundation, 1997.29. Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago
Close up of the face of a man lying on the floor with lights reflected on him

View the artist's collection page to explore further.

Artist: Chris Burden

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