Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad X2D 100 - 2025.

Images(5)

The Escape: Cloud Riding Contraption #3

Artist Kimberly Thomas (American, born 1977)

CultureAmerican

Date2022

MediumFlameworked borosilicate glass, steel, wood, grout, paint, mixed media

Dimensions17 × 12 × 12 in. (43.2 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm)

PortfolioThe Escape series

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number2025.39

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 119, Case 65

Label TextKimberly Thomas American, born 1977 The Escape: Cloud Riding Contraption #3, 2022 Flameworked borosilicate glass, steel, wood, grout, paint, mixed media In this multimedia work, Kimberly Thomas creates a re-imagined world of obscure inventions, alternate realities, and speculative futures: “We had flown into hostile territory. From my vantage point I could not see a safe place to land. We were running out of supplies and I wanted to set up camp and search for the portal on foot. I knew it was close, but it was hidden and a deeper investigation was needed. We flew to an area just outside of the city where we could lower the contraption. I said to Seven, “Here are the binoculars. Keep the rig in the air and keep watch, I’ll go down. If anyone or anything approaches, drop the ladder and take off. Don’t worry about me, I’ll find you.” Museum Purchase 2025.39