For New York's 2005 Armory Show, I created a roadside recruiting station with my own armory of over one hundred multi-colored rifles, muskets, and sabers based on those used during the American Civil War. Collectors interested in purchasing these weapons were required to "enlist in my cause" by signing a limited edition printed certificate, acknowledging that they had voluntarily armed themselves with art. In the act of enlistment, each collector also vowed to be a supporter and defender of art, as well as to "muster into action" when called to duty on future occasions.


Armory
S U N N Y  A.  S M I T H  Armory
Armory
2005
Please click on image again for more detail.

"Armory," The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art, New York, Bellwether booth. Also exhibited in "Allison Smith: The Muster 2005," Governors Island, New York Harbor, New York, a project of the Public Art Fund; Floor cloth exhibited in "Grow Your Own," Palais de Tokyo, Paris, organized by Peter Coffin. Field desk collection of Arario Gallery, Cheonan, South Korea. Photo credit Allison Smith.
S U N N Y  A.  S M I T H  Armory Carved wood, dyed and painted, aluminum
Armory Arms
2005
Carved wood, dyed and painted, aluminum
100 pieces

Exhibited in "Armory," The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art, New York, Bellwether booth, 2005; "Allison Smith: The Muster 2005," Governors Island, New York Harbor, New York, a project of the Public Art Fund; "Now Again the Past: Rewind, Replay, Resound," Carnegie Arts Center, Tonawanda, New York, curated by Joanna Raczynska: "Open Score Variations," Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson. Photo credit Daphne Fitzpatrick.

S U N N Y  A.  S M I T H  Armory
Armory Ad
2005

Designed by Jorge Colombo. Published in Artforum. "Allison Smith: Armory," The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art, New York, Bellwether booth.
S U N N Y  A.  S M I T H  Armory
Armory (Issuing Arms)
2005

"Allison Smith: Armory," The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art, New York, Bellwether booth.

S U N N Y  A.  S M I T H  Armory Silkscreen
Armory (Volunteer Enlistment Certificate)
2005
Silkscreen

Designed by Jorge Colombo. Edition of 100. Screen printed by Sara Saltzman. "Armory," The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art, New York, Bellwether booth, 2005. "Open Score Variations," Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, curated by Dan Mason, 2010.