THE CAP

(1983)

The object consists of a grey cloth cap with a fabric-covered button on its crown. Attached to the button is a strip of paper with the inscription “LIFT.” The cap should lie on the table or, even better, on a sculpture pedestal. When the viewer lifts the cap (by its button), underneath is discovered the inscription (on a sheet of paper): “IT IS POSSIBLE TO SET DOWN, BUT NOT TO UNDERSTAND.” [The two inscriptions play on the close resemblance between the Russian words for “to lift” (podniat’) and “to understand” (poniat’).]