Folding Hat (1971)
'Folding Hat' is a deadpan conceptual exercise that represents a dashed attempt to rescue an object from the meaning assigned to it. Whistling an aria from The Barber of Seville, Baldessari bends and folds a simple hat into numerous configurations. However, for the duration of the exercise, which unfolds in real time, the object never loses its "hatness." In the end it is untransmutable—no escape can be made from its meaning. Although Baldessari tries to drive a wedge between the signifier and signified, the viewer never misrecognizes the hat.
Director: John Baldessari
Runtime: 30 min
Release Date: January 1, 1971
Country: United States of America
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: John Baldessari
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Folding Hat about?
- 'Folding Hat' is a deadpan conceptual exercise that represents a dashed attempt to rescue an object from the meaning assigned to it. Whistling an aria from The Barber of Seville, Baldessari bends and folds a simple hat into numerous configurations. However, for the duration of the exercise, which unfolds in real time, the object never loses its "hatness." In the end it is untransmutable—no escape can be made from its meaning. Although Baldessari tries to drive a wedge between the signifier and signified, the viewer never misrecognizes the hat.
- Who directed Folding Hat?
- Folding Hat was directed by John Baldessari.
- How long is Folding Hat?
- Folding Hat has a runtime of 30m (30 minutes).
- Where was Folding Hat produced?
- Folding Hat was produced in United States of America.