Made from old wooden mill and sewing spools of various sizes, Backbone/Coloma Vertebrale by Lisa Venditelli mimics the form of backbones, some standing and others completely bent over. Placed on rods of varying heights, the assortment of backbone figures takes on a skeletal appearance. This piece derives from another series of Venditelli's work relating to Italian women immigrants. With little recognition, immigrant women and children supported the American textile, garment and lace making industries with hard labor, while sacrificing their own health and safety. Nevertheless, they always brought pride and craft to their work. According to Venditelli, "Backbone/Vertebrale symbolizes these immigrant workers. The installation is dedicated to the thousands of women and children who endured these conditions with little reward and no recognition."

Backbone/Coloma Vertebrale is part of the ICA's new media installation series, "Night Moves," providing after-dark programming in the gallery's front and rear windows.

Lisa Venditelli
Backbone/Coloma Vertebrale, 2004
detail

The ICA's new media installation series, "Night Moves," provides after-dark programming in the gallery's front and rear windows. Video projections, sound installations, kinetic light projects, and other new media pieces animate and illuminate the window, giving the ICA a nighttime presence while adding to the downtown cultural landscape.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
451 South First Street San Jose, CA 95113 tel (408) 283-8155 fax (408) 283-8157
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