Car Crushed by Volcanic Boulder

Seen outside the Hirshhorn

Jimmie Durham: Still Life with Spirit and Xitle, 2007 - "A car being crushed by a volcanic boulder with a comical smiley face painted on it...This slapstick disaster scene is one of the most well-known works of art by artist Jimmie Durham, a sculptor who is known for his sense of humour and irreverence".

Washington Post - "The sculpture, by Native American activist and artist Jimmie Durham, turned out to be the star of the show. Seemingly no one could resist snapping photos of his piece, a 9.5-ton boulder crushing a 1992 Dodge Spirit...Durham created “Still Life With Spirit and Xitle” in 2007 in Mexico, using a boulder that was created by a volcano known as Xitle, which destroyed the ancient city of Cuicuilco in about A.D. 245. The artist painted a mischievous smile on the giant red rock and, using a crane, dropped it onto an unmarked black Dodge Spirit — a vehicle often used by Mexico’s undercover cops. The piece, Aquin says, suggests a nature spirit taking revenge on modernity. ".

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“Still Life with Spirit and Xitle”