Wall-Eyed Carp/ROCI JAPAN 1987

This sprawling artwork, titled "Wall-Eyed Carp/ROCI JAPAN" was created by Robert Rauschenberg. Look at this dominant motif, the carp. In Japan, the carp, or koi, symbolizes perseverance, strength, and good fortune, often displayed as colorful streamers during Children's Day. Observe how the fish motif has journeyed through time and across cultures. In ancient Greece and Rome, the fish, often associated with deities, symbolized fertility and abundance. Early Christians adopted the fish as a secret symbol, the "ichthys," a coded reference to Christ. Notice the similar upward-striving motion between this Japanese carp and the Christian fish. Here, in Rauschenberg's assemblage, the carp interacts with diverse images—snapshots, abstract strokes, and graphic elements, evoking a sense of movement and transformation. It's as if the artist seeks to capture the fluidity of memory and the ever-changing nature of cultural symbols. It's emotional and psychological, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The motif’s non-linear journey has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.