Embargo (Jammer) 1976

Robert Rauschenberg made 'Embargo (Jammer)' from found objects, probably around the time he was working on his combines. The thing that grabs me first is the texture: the way the fabric drapes and folds. It looks almost like a sail, but one that's been grounded, a kind of barrier perhaps. I love how he brings together such disparate elements, like the rough rope, the flimsy fabric, and the bamboo pole. Look at that line created by the rope and the soft shadow it casts—it's so subtle, almost like a whisper. I find myself wondering what these materials mean, how they resonate with each other, what conversation are they having. Rauschenberg's work always feels like a puzzle, and in a way, his art is an ongoing conversation with Duchamp, another artist who loved to play with found objects. Just like Duchamp, Rauschenberg invites us to look at the world with new eyes, to find beauty and meaning in the everyday.