The Block Head
started 1979, published 1981
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
concrete and pumice construction block with wooden bevel, Fresnel lens system, television knobs, leather handle, and transistor radio, dripped with polyester resin
Dimensions
overall: 31.8 x 21.6 x 31.1 cm (12 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 12 1/4 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Gemini G.E.L. and the Artist
Accession Number
1981.5.273
Art Historical Context
**The Block Head** (started 1979, published 1981) is a assemblage sculpture by the collaborative duo Edward Kienholz and Reddin Kienholz renowned for their provocative, junk-filled installations that critique American society. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift from Gemini G.L. and the artists, this compact work (31.8 x 21.6 x 31.1 cm) transforms a humble concrete and pumice construction block into a surreal, handheld object. Adorned with wooden bevels, television knobs, a leather handle, a transistor radio, and a Fresnel lens system—then dripped in polyester resin—it evokes the g...