Robert Rauschenberg's "Mud Muse"

"Mud Muse", Robert Rauschenberg, 1971

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Yellowstone I was reminded of the piece by Robert Rauchenberg called "Mud Muse." According to Rebekah J. Kowal, "The piece consisted of a big aluminum tank of mud-9 x 12 feet-that oozes, plops, bubbles and slaps in response to the sounds of its own earthy noises. Rauschenberg explained that it was intended to simulate the "paint pots" at Yellowstone National Park, the churning pits of molten earth caused by subterranean heat geysers. " Click on image for youtube video of the strange piece.