Apocalyptic Wallpaper: A term used to describe the work of modern artists who created and benefited from their works of art without actually committing to them. Such artists protected themselves from any form of attack or criticism by creating works that were vague and did not reveal any part of their persona. These non-committal pieces did not put forth any opposing views nor did they ask any questions as other modern artists strove to achieve. They simply existed as pigment on a surface.
             The essay "Before Bed," by Helen Molesworth, discusses the work of artist Robert Rauschenberg, and the meaning and motivation behind his creations. By assessing his methods of creation, Molesworth arrives at the conclusion that Rauchenberg is striving, in part, to depict the disposability and monotony of daily life. He created his "Black Paintings" using an everyday object - newspaper, which according to Ernest Jones, can represent an unconscious symbol for excretion, which parallels the disposability of the paper. The physical characteristics of his work reinforce this idea. Molesworth uses Freud's theory about our unconscious drives to further explain the works. Infants are naturally curious about the pleasure derived from the inner processes of our bodies, however society dictates that these Id impulses should not be addressed. However, they still exist sub-consciously. Rauchenberg combines these unconscious, childhood feelings of pleasure, that result from our Id drives, and the!
             adult disgust and discomfort towards these same drives in his works.
             Rauchenberg's need to commit to his work resulted in him divulging valuable information about himself. This also acts as a means of self-recognition. This interest in self-disclosure and the need to get better acquainted with one's inner self is shared by other modern artists as well. Such works involve the viewer by asking questions and making subtle suggestions, without divulging anything. It...