Benefit For EAT
Giant Plane Sale

Ann Arbor—A nonprofit exhibition and sale for the benefit of EAT (Experiments in Art and Technology, Inc.) will take place at the studio of artist Robert Rauschenberg from June 5 to 7.

The exhibition is called GIANT MODEL AIRPLANES and consists of precisely scaled and detailed enlargements of stick-and-tissue-type models of vintage aircraft.

Christies of London will auction the models on Wednesday, June 7, beginning at 9:00 p.m.

Included in the exhibit are two S.E.5A Scout biplanes and a Fokker DR-1 triplane—the type made famous by Baron Manfred Richthofen during World War I. Wingspreads of the planes average 17 feet.

The planes were conceived and built by film maker George Manupelli and architect Joseph Wehrer. Both are professors at the University of Michigan, and both are active in the experimental music-theatre activities of the ONCE group.

The planes are uncovered and constructed of pine and were designed as outdoor sculpture that would weather gradually with time. When the planes are exhibited they will be hung from the ceiling of Rauschenberg’s four-story-tall chapel studio.

Each plane has a movable propeller that is powered by a giant rubber band and each is manned by a plastic pilot. The individual parts of the planes are numbered, while the major sections easily disassemble.

Also included in the exhibit is a huge facsimile of the box in which the original models are sold. The box was built and painted by David Haxton.

GIANT MODEL AIRPLANES is part of a larger undertaking by this same group that explores the concept of elementary wood technology and simple plastic forming methods, and scale, as a basis for contemporary sculpture.

EAT is a non-profit foundation to institute new kinds of projects between artists and technologists. Contributions made to EAT, including by way of the sale of works from GIANT MODEL AIRPLANES, are tax deductible.

Rauschenberg’s studio is located at 381 Lafayette Street (corner of Great Jones), New York, New York. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Hours: 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.