Mud Muse
Artist
Robert Rauschenberg
(USA, 1925 - 2008)
Alternate Title
- Lermusan
Date1968 - 1971
MediumBentonite clay in glass vat with sound-activated compressed-air system and control console
Dimensions122 x 274 x 366 cm
ClassificationSculptures
Credit LineDonation 1973 (New York Collection)
Countries
On view
StockholmRoomGallery 01:1
Object NumberNMSK 2174
CollectionsThe New York Collection, Materialitet
About the artworkIn the 1960s Robert Rauschenberg started experimenting with sound and Mud Muse was created in collaboration with engineer Billy Klüver. Inspired by the subterranean geysers of Yellowstone National Park among other things, he engaged his audience on a new and physical level. Mud Muse is painting and sculpture at the same time. A tank filled with a scatologically textured brownish mixture of water and bentonite, that bubbles, splashes and gurgles in response to the sounds of its own noises, as well as pre-recorded sounds (including bird songs, music and machine noises) and sounds made by the audience. Technically, Mud Muse bubbles by its own forces.
Signatures, inscriptions and marks Osignerad Selected exhibition history New York Collection for Stockholm (1973) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Den underjordiska himlen. Surrealism i Moderna Museets samling Moderna Museet, Stockholm Jorden - globala förändringar (1994) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Explosion (den 2 juni 2012 - den 9 september 2012) Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona Mud Muses - A Rant About Technology (den 12 oktober 2019 - den 12 januari 2020) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pontus Hulténs samling (2004) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pop Art & Nouveau Réalisme, ur samlingarna (1991-1992) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Surrealism, samlingen (den 19 oktober 2024 - den 18 januari 2026) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Jorden : globala förändringar : Moderna Museet, Spårvagnshallarna : 4/6 - 9/10 1994Jorden : globala förändringar : Moderna Museet, Spårvagnshallarna, Stockholm : [4 juni - 9 oktober 1994]Explosion! Måleri som handling / Painting as Action : [Moderna Museet 2/6-9/9 2012]Pop Art & Nouveau realisme : ur Moderna Museets samlingar : Moderna Museet 26.12.1991 - 09.08.1992Mud Muses : En tirad om teknologi : [Moderna Museet 12/10 2019-12/1 2020]New York Collection for Stockholm : Moderna Museet : oktober 27 - december 2, 1973
Signatures, inscriptions and marks Osignerad Selected exhibition history New York Collection for Stockholm (1973) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Den underjordiska himlen. Surrealism i Moderna Museets samling Moderna Museet, Stockholm Jorden - globala förändringar (1994) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Explosion (den 2 juni 2012 - den 9 september 2012) Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona Mud Muses - A Rant About Technology (den 12 oktober 2019 - den 12 januari 2020) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pontus Hulténs samling (2004) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pop Art & Nouveau Réalisme, ur samlingarna (1991-1992) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Surrealism, samlingen (den 19 oktober 2024 - den 18 januari 2026) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Jorden : globala förändringar : Moderna Museet, Spårvagnshallarna : 4/6 - 9/10 1994Jorden : globala förändringar : Moderna Museet, Spårvagnshallarna, Stockholm : [4 juni - 9 oktober 1994]Explosion! Måleri som handling / Painting as Action : [Moderna Museet 2/6-9/9 2012]Pop Art & Nouveau realisme : ur Moderna Museets samlingar : Moderna Museet 26.12.1991 - 09.08.1992Mud Muses : En tirad om teknologi : [Moderna Museet 12/10 2019-12/1 2020]New York Collection for Stockholm : Moderna Museet : oktober 27 - december 2, 1973