© 2008, William Villalongo
Currently not on view
The Last Days of Eden #1,
2008
William Villalongo, American, born 1975
2009-16
In The Last Days of Eden #1, Villalongo reprises the Old Testament account of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, substituting black protagonists for the white figures usually used to depict the subject in European art. The violence of human civilization is foreshadowed in this depiction of its mythical origin: In his right hand, Adam holds his own rib cage, a reference to the rib that, according to the biblical narrative, was removed from Adam to create Eve. His blood transforms into the missiles that fall in the distance, foretelling the technology of modern warfare and serving as a powerful metaphor for the violence rendered on racially black peoples in the creation of many modern nations.
Information
Title
The Last Days of Eden #1
Dates
2008
Maker
Medium
Velour paper
Dimensions
205.7 x 205.7 cm (81 x 81 in.)
frame: 208.2 × 206.5 × 7.5 cm (81 15/16 × 81 5/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
2009-16
Place Made
North America, United States
Culture
Type
Materials
Subject
bible stories, bombs, moons, figures (representations), stars, trees, reeds, men, intermedia, night, women, love, snakes, fighters, nudes
[Susan Inglett Gallery I.C. Editions Inc., New York , New York], sold; to Princeton University Art Museum, 2009.
