Kathereiner´s Morning Wood ( Kathreiners Morgenlatte ) 1979

Sigmar Polke’s Kathereiner's Morning Wood is a mixed media artwork that presents a visually arresting juxtaposition of disparate elements. Fabrics of various patterns—floral, geometric, and halftone—are collaged together, punctuated by wooden planks, creating a complex interplay between surface and structure. The composition defies traditional notions of harmony, evoking a sense of deliberate disarray. Polke's approach challenges the established conventions of art-making, using everyday materials to destabilize the boundary between high and low art. The collaged fabrics and seemingly random wooden supports create a semiotic field, where familiar patterns and textures are decontextualized. The work's title adds another layer of complexity. In German "Morgenlatte" is a euphemism for morning erection and combined with Kathereiner, referencing a company producing caffeine-free malt coffee. It introduces a playful yet provocative element, typical of Polke's critical engagement with consumer culture. Ultimately, Kathereiner's Morning Wood functions as a site of ongoing interpretation, its formal qualities intertwined with broader social and cultural discourses.