Gold Standard 1964

Robert Rauschenberg created this mixed media piece titled "Gold Standard". Rauschenberg lived through periods of significant social change, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, events that would have shaped his artistic sensibilities. Here, a folding screen, reminiscent of traditional Asian art, meets the ethos of American Pop art. This mashup of cultural references speaks to Rauschenberg's interest in collapsing boundaries, be they geographical, cultural, or artistic. There's a tension between the preciousness of the gold leaf and the everyday objects attached to the screen. The found objects add a layer of meaning, inviting us to contemplate the relationship between art and life, and the value we assign to different objects and experiences. "It is confusing, therefore it is living," Rauschenberg said about his work. As you stand before it, consider how "Gold Standard" reflects a moment of cultural exchange and challenges us to reconsider our own standards of value and beauty.