The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 5, 2025

Charlotte Moorman Performing Cello Bomb at Chicago Art Fair in 1984

1984

Cal Kowal

(American, b. 1944)
America
Polaroid
Image: 11.4 x 8.9 cm (4 1/2 x 3 1/2 in.); Paper: 13.2 x 10.6 cm (5 3/16 x 4 3/16 in.); Mounted: 35.5 x 27.8 cm (14 x 10 15/16 in.)
Gift of Cal Kowal 2020.93
© Cal Kowal
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The cello bomb being played here was fashioned from a military practice bomb.

Description

Moorman, a classically trained cellist, is seen here playing the cello bomb, an instrument of her own creation, at the Chicago Art Expo fair in 1984. She was part of an international interdisciplinary movement whose artworks emphasized artistic process and audience experience and participation. Moorman began creating bomb cellos in 1965 and used them in performances protesting the Vietnam War.
  • Cal Kowal [1944-] (the artist)
    March 2, 2020
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Charlotte Moorman Performing Cello Bomb at Chicago Art Fair in 1984|url=false|author=Cal Kowal|year=1984|access-date=05 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2020.93