Accession Number
1975/2.94

Title
Lisp

Artist(s)
Ed Ruscha; Cirrus Editions

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1970

Medium & Support
lithograph on paper

Dimensions
20 in x 28 in (50.8 cm x 71.1 cm);28 1/16 in x 36 1/16 in (71.28 cm x 91.6 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
This print comes from a series of "liquid word" paintings and prints Ruscha made throughout the 1960s and 70s.  In this print, as in many other such works, Ruscha is interested in the relationship between visual, phonetic, and literal associations of the word Lisp.  He has depicted the word as if formed from clear liquid, bringing to mind the splatter that one may produce in the act of lisping.  The word itself also prompts the viewer to consider those who speak in this manner, people with speech impediments, and, sometimes, members of the gay community, bringing a subtle sense of sexuality to the work.

Physical Description
This is a print of mostly solid blue background.  The word "Lisp" is depicted as if formed by drops of a clear liquid in splattered pattern with droplets surrounding the word.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Text-based Art
letter pictures
modern and contemporary art
speech (psychological concept)
water
water (inorganic material)