90. Robert Rauschenberg, The Ancient Incident (Kabal American Zephyr)
In Robert Rauschenberg’s elegant ziggurat, two chairs face each other at a standoff. The word “incident” in the title suggests an unpleasant standoff, a confrontation. But the chairs are also delicately balanced against each other, with their seats in perfect alignment. Perfectly aligned, too, are the their stairstep bases. Indeed, the entire arrangement mirrors itself, such that neither side is distinguishable from the other. How many of our real-life confrontations are like that, where both parties are coming from the same essential set of desires and fears? And, Rauschenberg suggests, without our opponent in the incident, we will both topple.
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This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days.
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Ah, a great reminder....thank you....