The Fur Tea Cup, Oppenheim's Object

Meret Oppenheim, Object, 1936, fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon (The Museum of Modern Art) © Meret Oppenheim
A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

[@minmax5]

What a lovely video. I've always been a huge fan of this piece, ever since I saw it as a young child in the MOMA. It's significance as a work has slowly become more and more apparent to me, and my connection to this piece more and more emotionally weighty. Over the past two decades I've slowly seen the spoon and handle lose its fur, which is heart wrenching to me.

[@ReliableDragon]

Fascinating object, thank you very much for covering this!

[@darkhorsejim]

Love the Man Ray connection - perfect for the times. Thank you for making Art even more amazing!

[@moxie7896]

Another woman in the long line of brilliant female artists that have been left in obscurity, overshadowed by their male counterparts. No less talented, but born the less privileged gender.

[@frutiger_aer0]

Love this! I always make it a point to visit this piece in the MoMA.

[@georgeedward1226]

The fur clogs up the dishwasher so be careful with that.

[@Air_Dan]

I remember in college taking history of modern art and I always loved this piece because it was very unique and stood out compared to usually the paintings for that section and test and was pretty much one of the few pieces made by a woman that we looked at in class. I wish we could have had a whole section on Oppenheim because I feel like this only scratches the fur's surface lol.

[@Sasha0927]

This did indeed rupture my sense of normalcy and I love it for that. There's something about the way the fur swirls on the neck of the spoon. It's like she intentionally made a little tie for it. (Bonus for making me look up the parts of a spoon, lol. I didn't know the part that holds is called a bowl.) Each new example of her work had me like 🤯 - especially the sugar ring and her Man Ray photo. The commentary game was extremely strong in this one: ✔Loved the wild / civil observation Dr. Harris made. ✔Loved the (sub)conscious cognitive dissonance and raw self / polite society distinction Dr. Zucker made. I really hope to see more work by Oppenheim - she's too interesting to pass up.

[@smarthistoryvideos]

This artist deserved much more attention.

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistoryvideos Many of the greats do - present company included. 🙂 Hope you guys give her that attention so I can binge the videos on her interesting life / pieces.

[@SunsetDreamms]

I like it. Women are so creative.

[@marthavillegas6250]

One of the most important pieces of art made by a woman, I simply love it. Thank you for this video.

[@travisdoesstuff4766]

The fine china

[@pasthuman]

I don't really think a cup and a plate that look exactly like a regular cup and plate although made of hair is art. I do however appreciate the commentary on it as it gives food for thought.

[@i_am_a_music_maker5212]

Well everybody else seems to think that, and so did Oppenheim so I think that’s all that matters