The Opti-Can Royale

started 1976, published 1977

Edward Kienholz and Nancy Reddin Kienholz

Associated Names
Edward Kienholz

Artist, American, 1927 - 1994

Nancy Reddin Kienholz

Artist, American, 1943 - 2019

Ron McPherson

Edition Production, American, active late 20th century

Jeff Sanders

Edition Production, American, active late 20th century

Peter Carlson

Edition Production, American, active late 20th century

Gemini G.E.L.

Publisher

The sculpture depicts a vintage television set with a screen showing a black and white landscape with figures in a field. The exterior is made of a metallic material, featuring a silvery and slightly tarnished surface for a worn appearance. The TV's screen is convex within a rectangular metal frame with a black trim. Below the screen, there is a vent-like design with horizontal slats, and to the right is a circular dial with numbers for channel selection. Adjacent to the dial are two metallic knobs, each with a small groove. The sculpture includes a carrying handle on top and an antenna-like feature, reminiscent of early 20th-century television sets.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    metal can, Fresnel lens system, television knobs, light bulb, electrical components, and set of five photographic insert cards, dripped with epoxy resin

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Gemini G.E.L. and the Artist

  • Dimensions

    overall: 31.8 × 22.5 × 21.6 cm (12 1/2 × 8 7/8 × 8 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1981.5.206.1-6

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, California; acquired 1981 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1966

  • Gemini G.E.L. Sequence List. Los Angeles, California: Gemini G.E.L., unpublished, no. 749.

2011

  • Ritchie, Charles. Gemini G.E.L. Online Catalogue Raisonné. Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 2011, no. 29.7. http://www.nga.gov/gemini

Inscriptions

lower center verso in black ink on adhered brass label: Kienholz / Gemini / II

Markings

printed lower center verso on adhered brass label: Gemini [Gemini G.E.L.] G.E.L. / 8635 Melrose Ave. / L.A., Calif. 90069 / Model / Model No. / Volts / Cycles / Lamp / Watts / © Copyright Gemini G.E.L. 1977; blindstamped lower center verso on adhered brass label: The Opti-Can / Royale / EK76-2039 / 110 / 50/60 / 15; printed bottom on adhered label: Edward Kienholz, his heirs, assigns and de- / visees, own fifteen per cent (15%) interest of / this work and shall be paid fifteen per cent / (15%) of the gross profit derived from any sale, / lease, or loan of this work and an amount equal / to fifteen per cent (15%) of any charitable / deduction upon a gift of this work to a non- / profit institution.

Wikidata ID

Q63860813

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