Hot Blooded

Rene Culler, Hot Blooded, 1994, blown and kiln-transformed glass, enameled, gold and silver leaf, 31 ¹⁄₂ x 10 ⁷⁄₈ x 10 ⁵⁄₈ in. (80.0 x 27.5 x 27.0 cm) footprint: 10 ⁷⁄₈ x 10 ⁵⁄₈ in. (27.5 x 27.0 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mary Ann and Jack Katzenmeyer, 2000.57

Artwork Details

Title: Hot Blooded
Artist: Rene Culler
Date: 1994
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
Luce Foundation Center
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4th Floor
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55B
Dimensions: 31 ¹⁄₂ x 10 ⁷⁄₈ x 10 ⁵⁄₈ in. (80.0 x 27.5 x 27.0 cm) footprint: 10 ⁷⁄₈ x 10 ⁵⁄₈ in. (27.5 x 27.0 cm) irregular
Credit Line: Gift of Mary Ann and Jack Katzenmeyer
Mediums: enamel
glass
Mediums Description: blown and kiln-transformed glass, enameled, gold and silver leaf
Classifications: Decorative Arts
Glass
Object Number: 2000.57
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2000.57

Artwork Description

In Hot Blooded, Rene Culler investigates sexual relationships, nesting the heavy bowls together to represent layers of flesh. The bloodred color and thornlike protrusions convey passion and danger. The painted surface is cracked and uneven, which contradicts our expectation of glass as having a slick, shiny appearance.