history

left: wrestler in wolfsonian museum lobby. the six feet, six inches tall sculpture was displayed at 1932 olympic games in los angeles. (click to enlarge)
left: new bookend
In partnership with reading accessory company Levenger, the Wolfsonian–Florida International University in Miami has issued its beloved Wrestler sculpture as a book end, muscular enough for the heftiest rank of art books. Something of a mascot for the Wolfsonian, the 1929 piece is part robot, part muscle man and is the work of American sculptor Dudley Vaill Talcott (1899-1986)
 
Wolfsonian director Cathy Leff says that “The Wrestler embodies many themes addressed by our collection. He is an expression of the promise of the machine age and this new material, aluminum, as well as that era’s growing interest in sports and physical culture. The fact that he was exhibited at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics is fitting for our collection with its strong representation of worlds’ fairs and expositions. The Wrestler also fits South Beach’s fascination with body culture.” 
 
The bookend is made of polyresin finished to resemble aluminum. It will be available on June 2 at  Levenger or at the Wolfsonian’s Dynamo Museum Shop Miami Beach. 305.535.2680 or paola [at] thewolf.fiu [dot] edu Price: $99; or two or more for $88 apiece.

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