Burden, Chris | If You Fly, If You Drive (diptych), 1973 — available on Composition Gallery

Two Lithographs on Arches Paper -excellent condition -Hand-signed by artist, Dated and Numbered -framed -Published by Newspace Gallery, Los Angeles

If You Fly, If You Drive by Chris Burden is a thought-provoking diptych lithograph from 1973. This limited edition work consists of two panels on Arches paper, each displaying a simple phrase in bold, handwritten text: “If you fly” and “If you Drive.” Below each phrase is a small image—a silhouette of a plane against a purple sky on the left, and two bright car headlights in darkness on the right. The juxtaposition invites viewers to consider contrasting modes of transportation and their implications. The minimalist presentation and the powerful simplicity of text and imagery reflect Burden's exploration of modern life and personal choice.

Chris Burden (USA, 1946–2015) was a groundbreaking performance and conceptual artist known for works that pushed physical and psychological limits. Famous pieces like Shoot (1971) and Trans-Fixed (1974) explored themes of danger, endurance, and societal boundaries. Later in his career, Burden created large-scale installations and sculptures, blending engineering with artistic innovation.

Chris Burden

If You Fly, If You Drive (diptych), 1973

Name: If You Fly, If You Drive (diptych), 1973
SKU: 9455
Price: 12500.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Lithograph

Lithograph Lithography is a printing method based on the principle that water and oil do not mix. It can be used to print artwork or text onto paper or other suitable materials. Traditionally, an image was drawn with wax, fat, or oil onto a lithographic limestone surface or plate. Today, metal plates and other surfaces are also used in lithographic printing.

Edition

Edition of 50

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Two Lithographs on Arches Paper -excellent condition -Hand-signed by artist, Dated and Numbered -framed -Published by Newspace Gallery, Los Angeles

Chris Burden

If You Fly, If You Drive (diptych), 1973

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“Limits” is a relative term. Like beauty, it is often in the eye of the beholder.

- Chris Burden

Chris Burden (b. 1946 USA, d. 2015 USA) was an influential American artist known for his provocative and often extreme performance art. Burden's work challenged the boundaries of art and life, using his body as a medium to explore themes of pain, endurance, and the role of the artist in society. His most famous piece, Shoot (1971), involved being shot in the arm by an assistant, a performance that epitomized his commitment to pushing the limits of physical and psychological experience. Beyond performance, Burden also created large-scale sculptures and installations that addressed issues such as power, technology, and the urban environment. His work has left an indelible mark on contemporary art, inspiring future generations to rethink the possibilities of art as a form of social commentary.

Artwork by Yves Klein

What is body art?

Body art involves creating art directly on or with the human body. Common forms include body piercings and tattoos, but it also encompasses practices like branding, scarification, scalping, body painting, full-body tattoos, body shaping, and sub-dermal implants. Body art can also refer to a subcategory of performance art where the artist's body is central to the artwork.

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Chris Burden