The iconic dancework Glacial Decoy unfurls like a dream: Four figures in diaphanous dresses shift back and forth across a proscenium, transforming the stage into a kind of carousel. Behind them, oversized black-and-white photos of everyday objects advance across a screen, grounding the dancers’ ethereal movements in the material world.
Trisha Brown and Robert Rauschenberg: Glacial Decoy pays homage to the original 1979 dance, which debuted at the Walker, and to its creators: postmodern dance pioneer Trisha Brown and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg, who designed the set and costumes. Anchoring both the dance and this exhibition is a projection of the 159 unique photographs Rauschenberg created to accompany Brown’s choreography. Highlighting the layered textures, repetition, and abstraction employed by both artists, the exhibition also includes five lithographic prints from Rauschenberg’s Rookery Mounds series (1979). Original costumes, video documentation, and archival materials flesh out the gallery, creating an immersive experience.
The exhibition kicks off a multidisciplinary series of programs in celebration of Rauschenberg’s centennial year. Throughout November 2025, the program Rauschenberg@100: Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Kyle Abraham will highlight the artistic lineage between its three titular choreographer-dancers and their partnerships with the artist. The series will include live performances and a Walker residency with the Trisha Brown Dance Company.
Accessibility
Gallery 7/Medtronic is accessible via the elevator in the Main Lobby.
Curatorial Team
Brandon Eng, Curatorial Assistant, Visual Arts
Before Your Visit
Paid underground parking is available on-site. Enter the ramp on Vineland Place at Bryant Avenue. Biking or taking Metro Transit? Learn more.
Visiting the galleries? Enhance your experience by joining a public tour or with self-guided resources accessible for free on Bloomberg Connects.
Personal photography is permitted throughout the Walker and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, but please turn off the flash when visiting the galleries.
To help us promote future events and programs, this event may be photographed or recorded. By attending, you consent to appear in this documentation and its future use by the museum. Please let staff know upon arrival if you prefer not to be photographed.
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