Cabinets

Archive of the Mendocino Heritage Artists

Fran Moyer’s Cabinets

The Alchemist’s Valise

The Alchemist's Valise by Fran Moyer (front, door closed), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64"), 1963.
The Alchemist’s Valise by Fran Moyer (front, door closed), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64″), 1963.
The Alchemist's Valise by Fran Moyer (front, door open), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64"), 1963.
The Alchemist’s Valise by Fran Moyer (front, door open), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64″), 1963.

 

The Alchemist's Valise by Fran Moyer (reverse, with door open), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64"), 1963.
The Alchemist’s Valise by Fran Moyer (back, with door open), A cabinet assemblage of polychrome wood and found objects (64″), 1963.

POLYCHROME SCULPTURE SAYS “PLEASE TOUCH”

Fran Moyer’s Cabinet Man: “The most fun of all.” Photo: San Francisco Chronicle (8/24/1964).

In an earlier, more innocent day, we all recall seeing signs warning us “Do Not Touch” where sculpture was displayed. The New Art has changed all that. Today we are likely to see a sign directing us to “Turn the Handle” or “Push the Button.” [Fletcher Benton, Charles Mattox, Robert Howard, Robert Hudson and Fran Moyer have created] some of the better pieces now being shown in the exhibition of Polychrome Sculpture, at the San Francisco Art Institute gallery, 800 Chestnut Street… But the most fun comes to those whose curiosity will not allow them to leave unopened any of the tiny doors, lids and drawers in Fran Moyer’s “Cabinet Man.” This little fellow does everything except play the “Colonel Bogey March” and since this same sculptor had a figure on view here last month which did exactly that, we need not feel cheated… – Dean Wallace, San Francisco Chronicle, August 24, 1964.

Cabinet Man

Cabinet Man. Polychrome wood assemblage, with music box and found objects, by Fran Moyer (1964). Private collection.

Colonel Bogie’s Cupboard

Colonel Bogie’s Cupboard by Fran Moyer. Polychrome wood  cabinet, with found objects, and music box playing the Colonel Bogie March (1964). Private collection.

During World War II, U.S. Corporal Fran Moyer served in the The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) as an Army airfield mechanic.  There, she might have developed a fondness for The Colonel Bogey March. It was used by the WAC in a song with lyrics by Major Dorothy E. Nielsen (USAR): “Duty is calling you and me, we have a date with destiny, ready, the WACs are ready, their pulse is steady a world to set free. Service, we’re in it heart and soul, victory is our only goal, we love our country’s honor and we’ll defend it against any foe.”

Cabinets go to New York

Invitation to participate in “AMUSEMENTS”, a 1964 exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts of the American Craftsmen’s Council, 29 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019.

Excerpt: “…your work is extremely exciting and would fit into the content of our show very well. At this point I would like you to send Colonel Bogey’s Cupboard and Cabinet Man.”

LINKS
Fran Moyer: Artwork
Artist’s Statement
Fran Moyer
The Mendocino Heritage Artists
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