Preamble

Artist Mike Wilkins, born Durham, NC 1959 Publication Label In a show of American ingenuity, Mike Wilkins utilized a collection of vanity license plates to phonetically spell out the preamble to the US Constitution in abbreviated script. All fifty states and the District of Columbia are represented in alphabetical order. Though the plates rarely make sense on their own, together they re-create one of the greatest documents in American history. This work represents the meaning of the phrase "the United States" with a fun twist. Smithsonian American Art Museum: Commemorative Guide. Nashville, TN: Beckon Books, 2015. Credit Line Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. 1987 Object number 1988.39 Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply Type Sculpture Medium painted metal on vinyl and wood Dimensions 96 x 96 in. (243.8 x 243.8 cm.) See more items in Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection Department Painting and Sculpture On View Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, W330 Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor Smithsonian American Art Museum Topic History\United States\Constitution Architecture\vehicle\detail Record ID saam_1988.39 Metadata Usage (text) Not determined GUID (Link to Original Record) http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7a6868f56-12a7-4170-be86-fd74e9129db0

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