This sculpture, “Luncheon In Fur”, created by Méret Oppenheim challenges the psyche and what is considered reality. Presented in the image above are a teacup, saucer, and spoon; all considered delicate and elegant dining wear. Oppenheim, however, had decided to cover each piece in fur. 

By placing fur around each utensil, Oppenheim had mixed two conflicting realities. The reality that a teacup, saucer, and spoon are used for drinking a beverage, and the reality that fur cannot get wet. He had created an object made of a material that would not allow that object to function properly, therefore making it unusable. By doing so, Oppenheim utilizes Sigmund Freud’s concept that “withdrawal from reality is the main purpose of the illness but also the main damage caused by it” (Freud 2234). The main purpose of false realities is to allow an individual to escape from the challenges of existence; however, it is this escape from the truth prevents an individual from fully experiencing life. Though the teacup, saucer, and spoon are made to indulge in the pleasures of drinking, the fur prevents this and deprives the utensils of such joy. Similarly, it is the definition of a human being to face unacceptable realities and find beauty in them. False realities prevent this and render an individual incapable of experiencing true human existence. Like the fur and utensils, illusions and human existence are two conflicting realities. The reality that illusions allow an individual to escape from the hardships of life, and the reality that human existence is based on such hardships. 

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