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A Throw of Dice Will Never Do Away with Chance, 2003

 Item — Box: 166
Identifier: CC-40359-42330

Scope and Contents

For this piece that is based on a die, Tom Phillips lettered the text in varying numbered circles. the lettering is in the style of his text based wall sculptures where each letter is linked to adjacent ones. The text is the title of the poem "Un Coup de Des Jamais Abolira le Hazard" by Stephane Mallarme. Phillips writes that, " the first line of the foundation poem of chance procedures (and concrete poetry in general), outlines another dilemma which I translate as 'A throw of dice will never do away with chance'. Each dot on these giant dice incorporates the line and through the mysteries arising from the solid geometry of a transparent cube each "throw" gives rise to new configurations as chance plays its second role. Looked at from the sides, from the corners and from above, the cube's symmetry produces illusions and paradoxes of perception, hints of mirrors and fractures appropriate to each of these statements." -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Dates

  • Creation: 2003

Creator

Extent

1 item (1 poem object) : 1 cube (acrylic, silkscreen) ; 13 x 13 x 13 cm

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Original Sackner Archive Location

second floor hallway

Custodial History

The Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry, gift of from Ruth and Marvin A. Sackner and the Sackner Family Partnership.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Tom Phillips, 2003.

Materials Specific Details

Published: London, England : [Publisher not identified]. Nationality of creator: British. Copies: About 20 total copies.

Processing Information

Added by: RUTH; updated by: MARVIN.

Repository Details

Part of the The Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry Repository

Contact:
125 W. Washington St.
Main Library
Iowa City Iowa 52242 United States
319-335-5921