The Mothership

Designed by

Clinton, George, American, born 1941

Larkin, Peter, American, born 1926

Fisher, Jules, American, born 1937

Used by

Parliament-Funkadelic, American, founded 1955

Date

1990s

On View

Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Museum MapsObjects in this Location

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

Medium

metal, plastic, glass

Dimensions

Overall with Weight: 120 × 250 × 113 in., 1500 lb. (304.8 × 635 × 287 cm, 680.4 kg)

Description

"The Mothership" is the centerpiece stage prop used by Clinton and his multiple bands during their live concert performances. This object is a near-exact replica of the slightly larger Mothership that was used exclusively at the closing moments of concerts during the height of the band's popularity from 1976-1981. This replica prop was built from metal, plastic, and glass in the mid 1990s and used on the "Mothership Reconnection Tour".

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

Type

props (object genres)

Topic

Art

Design

Funk (Music)

Musicians

Transportation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Love to the planet

Object number

2011.83.1.1-.9

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a4bfdab2-f9ee-437b-9064-0154b9d7f176