Storyline I (Reels [B+C]) 1968

In this print titled ‘Storyline I (Reels [B+C])’ Rauschenberg presents us with a narrative puzzle, layering screen-printed images in a vibrant dance of colour. The acid greens and hot pinks suggest a world seen through a psychedelic lens, don’t they? I can imagine Rauschenberg in his studio, intuitively combining images, letting the narrative emerge from the process itself. I wonder what these pictures mean to him; are they found images, personal snapshots, or stills from a movie? The man lying down looks like he is in some kind of danger. Look at the way Rauschenberg uses blocks of colour to create a push-pull effect, flattening the space while also suggesting depth. The black line that runs across also works to pull the images together. I’m reminded of other artists who similarly blurred the boundaries between painting and printmaking, like Elizabeth Murray. Ultimately, this piece invites us to embrace uncertainty, finding beauty in the unexpected juxtapositions and open-ended narratives. It is about allowing for multiple interpretations rather than seeking a definitive reading.