Robert Rauschenberg%2C Traces suspectes en surface %28Things are Not What They Seem%29%2C 1972-1978 %C2%A9 Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Traces suspectes en surface (Things are Not What They Seem), 1972-1978
Color lithographs and offset lithographsexpand_more
Gift of funds from the National Endowment of the Arts and The Print and Drawing Councilexpand_more B.89.10
Not on Viewexpand_more
Traces suspectes en surface is the result of a six-year collaboration between Rauschenberg and French novelist, poet, and filmmaker Alain Robbe-Grillet (1922-2008). In this celebrated artist's book, Robbe-Grillet's unconventional, but captivating mystery story, written in his own hand on lithographic plates, is accompanied by 25 original lithographic collages of photographic imagery provided by Rauschenberg. Robbe-Grillet practiced the nouveau roman ("new novel") approach to writing, which emphasized experimentation and breaking with the conventions of classic literary genres.
In commenting on collaborations with artists, and the relationship between words and images, Robbe-Grillet noted that, "My novels "are never 'about' anything, nor are they about ideas of images." The author's enigmatic pronouncement suggests that this artist's book represents something less than a true collaboration, and more of Rauschenberg's subjective response to Robbe-Grillet's intentionally ambiguous text.
Details
- Title
- Traces suspectes en surface (Things are Not What They Seem)
- Artist Life
- 1925–2008
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- B.89.10
- Provenance
- ULAE, West Islip, N.Y. (publisher); sold to MIA, 1989.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Manet to Hockney 344-345
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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Robert Rauschenberg, Traces suspectes en surface (Things are Not What They Seem), 1972-1978 © Robert Rauschenberg Foundation