The Tower 1957

Robert Rauschenberg made this tower of objects, that's for sure. It's a haphazard yet careful construction, teetering with a kind of playful tension. I can imagine Rauschenberg in his studio, surrounded by found objects and rummaging through stuff he’s collected – bits of furniture, old tools, maybe even a discarded umbrella. He’s piecing things together, not with a grand plan, but with an intuitive sense of how disparate elements might speak to each other. The surface textures are rough and worn, carrying traces of past use. And the colors! They're faded, muted, and yet they create a harmonious balance. It’s all a bit ramshackle, but that's the beauty of it. Look at how the umbrella sits precariously on top, like a crown atop a jester. Rauschenberg was in constant conversation with the world around him and the history of art, too. And this piece feels like a playful nod to both.