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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2006.167
People
Karen Hanmer, American (born 1961)
Title
America's Most Wanted: Black Gold Texas Tea
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
2003
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/317244

Physical Descriptions

Medium
54 pigment inkjet playing cards
Dimensions
Each card: 9 x 6.3 cm (3 9/16 x 2 1/2 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Karen Hammer, Glenview, Illinois, gift; to Harvard University Art Museums, September 2006.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of the artist
Copyright
© Karen Hanmer
Accession Year
2006
Object Number
2006.167
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Inspired by decks of playing cards portraying villains and heroes from Operation Iraqui Freedom, this deck pictures 52 different Sports Utility Vehicles.
Commentary
Karen Hanmer's printed works often take the form of games and puzzles that are intended to be handled in order to have the most intimate and meaningful experience of them. The US government's deck of playing cards portraying the villains of Operation Iraqi Freedom inspired America's Most Wanted: Black Gold Texas Tea, which pictures fifty-two different sports utility vehicles. As the face value of the cards increases, so does the gas consumption of the SUVs, so for instance, the Aces are vehicles by Hummer, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, and Lincoln. Interestingly, the names of a number of the SUVs are militaristic or reflect the ideals of military campaigns, such as the Nissan Armada (Queen of Clovers), Jeep Liberty (4 of Hearts), and the GMC Envoy (Jack of Spades). The cards are part of the artist's Crying Shame series.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu