Misstress of the Home Bound to Modern Convenience       

Mistress of the Home Bound to Modern Convenience vacuum cleaner sculpture

Mistress to the Home Bound by Modern Convenience is a sculpture that is hand fabricated using traditional metalsmithing skills to resemble a manufactured appliance. Mistress to the Home Bound by Modern Convenience continues to resonate every day. 

When my phone breaks, printer jams or my computer freezes, even for a moment, we quickly realize the tyranny that technology has in our lives. This article from The New York Times "The Tyranny of Convenience" illuminates us on the impact that convenience has had on our lives. 

Dimensions: 27" H x 7" W x 8" D

Available for exhibition or purchase.

The sculpture is a copper construction with painted or plastic coated surface.

Fabric vacuum cleaner bag is formed around a plastic doll. Her hands extend beyond the bag as if hand-cuffed to the vacuum cleaner handle.
Plexiglas window.

Bottom of the vacuum cleaner base reads: "beats, as it sweeps, as it cleans".  This is a reference to domestic violence, violence against women and how often victims are trapped in a situation that they can not escape. The #metoo movement tries to address the vulnerability of women who are susceptible to manipulation by men in power and superior positions.

Photography by Philip Cohen

© Harriete Estel Berman, 1981, 2021