Nice Rack

Currently not on view

Nice Rack

2006

Rachel Harrison (American, born 1966)

Rachel Harrison's witty and inventive mixed-media assemblage juxtaposes an array of unremarkable objects: fake pearls, an obsolete telephone, a shovel, and a greeting card stand, anchoring all of these elements with a framed photograph of Ronald Reagan. The photograph, originally part of a work by conceptual artist Hans Haacke, is here presented as an icon by capitalizing on its associations within recent American history. In this feminist literalization of the slang phrase "nice rack," Harrison examines the scrambling of cultural hierarchies in today's visual culture, incorporating Reaganism, Hallmark, and the ideas of artists Marcel Duchamp—recalling his Bottlerack (Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1998-4-23)—and Paul Cézanne—alluding to his still-life compositions.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Nice Rack

Date:

2006

Artist:

Rachel Harrison (American, born 1966)

Medium:

Wood, polystyrene, cement, inkjet print (reproduction of Hans Haacke’s oil painting Homage to Marcel Broodthaers, 1982), hardwood dolly, Hallmark greeting card rack, aerodynamic snow shovel, artificial peaches, bejeweled barrettes, rotary phone

Dimensions:

8 feet 3 inches × 5 feet 3 inches × 2 feet 4 inches (251.5 × 160 × 71.1 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased with funds contributed by the Committee on Modern and Contemporary Art, 2008

Accession Number:

2008-231-1a--g

Geography:

Made in North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view