Sor Aqua (Venetian) 1973

When do objects become works of art? 💭👇 Now displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, ‘Sor Aqua (Venetian)’ (1973) consists of a bathtub which sits below a tangle of wood and scrap metal. The materials are bound together with rope, while a glass jug floats in the bathtub. 🛀 ‘Sor Aqua’ belongs to a series of sculptures created by the American artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) after a visit to Venice. All of the works use scrap objects as their main material. Known as a ‘Neo-Dadaist’, Rauschenberg used these everyday objects to question perceptions of art. This builds on the concepts explored by early 20th century Dada artists, such as Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968). This dramatic sculptural installation hangs from the roof of the gallery, connecting the spaces between floor and ceiling. The bathtub itself is rusted, while the rope is visibly fraying. In what ways might this work be connected to Venice? Its title translates to ‘Sister Water’. Could Rauschenberg be referencing the fragility of the Venetian canals, or the gradual decay of the grand Venetian architecture? 💧🛶 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham