Alice Aycock

(b Harrisburg, PA, 20 Nov 1946). American sculptor, draughtswoman, installation and environmental artist. She studied liberal arts at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (1964-8), and obtained an MA in studio art at the City University of New York (1968-71), where she worked under Robert Morris and became familiar with systems theory. From the 1960s Aycock developed phenomenologically site-orientated works to include metaphor and simile, referring to machinery and construction sites, archaeological sites, models, children's play areas and funfairs and other public or social settings. For example in a Simple Network of Underground Wells and Tunnels (1975) six concrete wells (1.62 sq. m) with connecting tunnels were sunk into an area of ground c. 6.1*12.2 m at Merriewold West, Far Hills, NJ (destr.). The curious sense of authority within her sophisticated, well-made structures is simultaneously articulated and undermined by a nonsensical, non-functional and fantastical element. Her works are often a synthesis of diverse elements. The imagery of the Game of Flyers (wood, steel, fire, water, birds, 1979-80; Washington, DC, Project A.) derives equally from tantric drawings, the problem of designing and constructing a machine for human flight and thoughts about World War II. By the 1990s Aycock produced both elaborate site-specific and gallery installation works. Examples of her work are housed in the Australian National Gallery, Canberra, the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.

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