Rachel Harrison Life Hack

Oct 25, 2019–Jan 12, 2020

A TV, trash can, and a large colorful object.

Rachel Harrison’s (b. 1966) first full-scale survey will track the development of her career over the past twenty-five years, incorporating room-size installations, autonomous sculpture, photography, and drawing. Harrison's complex works—in which readymades collude with invented forms—bring together the breadth of art history, the impurities of politics, and the artifacts of pop and celebrity culture. The exhibition will include approximately one hundred works spanning the early 1990s to the present, drawn from private and public collections throughout the world.

This exhibition is organized by Elisabeth Sussman, Curator and Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography, and David Joselit, Distinguished Professor, Graduate Center, City University of New York, with Kelly Long, curatorial assistant.

Major support for Rachel Harrison Life Hack is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Whitney’s National Committee.

Generous support is provided by Candy and Michael Barasch and The Morris A. Hazan Family Foundation, Sueyun and Gene Locks, and Susan and Larry Marx.

Significant support is provided by Constance R. Caplan, Fotene Demoulas and Tom Coté, Krystyna Doerfler, The Keith Haring Foundation Exhibition Fund, Ashley Leeds and Christopher Harland, Han Lo, Diane and Adam E. Max, and Chara Schreyer.

Additional support is provided by Eleanor Cayre, Suzanne and Bob Cochran, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Rebecca and Martin Eisenberg, Wilma and Howard Kaye, and Emily Rauh Pulitzer.

Generous exhibition production support is provided by Greene Naftali, New York, with additional support from Regen Projects, Los Angeles.

Warhol Foundation

Exhibition Catalogue

This publication, the first comprehensive monograph on Harrison in nearly a decade, centers on an in-depth plate section that doubles as a chronology of her major works, series, and exhibitions. The book also includes six accompanying essays, covering Harrison’s earliest works to her most recent output, and a handful of photo-collages that the artist created specifically for this project, published here for the first time.

Buy Now

Events

View all

Installation photography

Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Front, from left to right: Right Bank, 1993; Hallway Stanchion Set, 2019; Wall, 1994. Back, from left to right: Warren Beatty, 2007; Cindy, 2004; Alexander the Great, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Dinner, 1991; I Like What’s Nice, c. 1995; Leaktite Luck, 1995. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: 5 × 7’s (A & R Quality Photo, Aurora, Duggal, Emulsion, Foto Print, Image Studio, Pro Photo, R&B Color Labs, US Color, Victoria Photo), 1996; Untitled, c. 1991; Untitled, c. 1992; Green Sock, c. 1991; Untitled, c. 1992; Untitled, 1993. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Should home windows or shutters be required to withstand a direct hit from an eight-foot-long two-by-four shot from a cannon at 34 miles an hour, without creating a hole big enough to let through a three-inch sphere?, 1996/2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Should home windows or shutters be required to withstand a direct hit from an eight-foot-long two-by-four shot from a cannon at 34 miles an hour, without creating a hole big enough to let through a three-inch sphere?, 1996/2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Should home windows or shutters be required to withstand a direct hit from an eight-foot-long two-by-four shot from a cannon at 34 miles an hour, without creating a hole big enough to let through a three-inch sphere?, 1996/2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Should home windows or shutters be required to withstand a direct hit from an eight-foot-long two-by-four shot from a cannon at 34 miles an hour, without creating a hole big enough to let through a three-inch sphere?, 1996/2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Should home windows or shutters be required to withstand a direct hit from an eight-foot-long two-by-four shot from a cannon at 34 miles an hour, without creating a hole big enough to let through a three-inch sphere?, 1996/2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: One Box of Floor Tiles, Crosby St., 1994; Voyage of the Beagle, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Voyage of the Beagle, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Plant/Sock, c. 1994; Voyage of the Beagle, 2007; One Box of Floor Tiles, Crosby St., 1994. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Voyage of the Beagle, 2007; One Box of Floor Tiles, Crosby St., 1994. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Voyage of the Beagle, 2007; One Box of Floor Tiles, Crosby St., 1994. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Voyage of the Beagle, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Front: Voyage of the Beagle, 2007. Back, from left to right: Dinner, 1991; I Like What’s Nice, c. 1995; Leaktite Luck, 1995. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Pedestal Dialog, 1988; Are You Sure It’s the Right Baby, 1993; Are You Sure It’s the Right Baby, 1993; Right Bank, 1993; Hallway Stanchion Set, 2019; Wall, 1994; Lady Marjorie and Mrs. Bridges, 1994; One Box of Floor Tiles, Crosby St., 1994. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Untitled (Poles for a Dangerous Art World), 1992; Four Quartets, 1998; 2 a.m. 2nd Ave., 1996; Oil of Olay, 1997; Jacob’s Arm, 1997; Mind the Gap, 1996. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: 2 a.m. 2nd Ave., 1996; Mind the Gap, 1996; Four Quartets, 1998; Jacob’s Arm, 1997; Oil of Olay, 1997. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Dinner, 1991; I Like What’s Nice, c. 1995; Four Quartets, 1998; Oil of Olay, 1997; Jacob’s Arm, 1997; 2 a.m. 2nd Ave., 1996; Sphinx, 2002; Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Mind the Gap, 1996; 2 a.m. 2nd Ave., 1996; Teaching Bo to Count Backwards, 1996–97; Jacob’s Arm, 1997; Oil of Olay, 1997; Four Quartets, 1998. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Mind the Gap, 1996; Teaching Bo to Count Backwards, 1996–97. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: The Opening, 2009; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2018. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2019; The Opening, 2009; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2018. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2018; The Classics, 2017; The Classics, 2018; The Opening, 2009. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Gray or Roan Colt, 2004; Cindy, 2004; Nice Rack, 2006; Valid Like Salad, 2012; 20 × 24” (for CDL), 1999; Untitled, 2012; Brownie, 2005; Hoarders, 2012; Huffy Howler, 2004; Alexander the Great, 2007; Springs, 2017. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Sunset Series, 2000; Cindy, 2004; Valid Like Salad, 2012; Gray or Roan Colt, 2004; Nice Rack, 2006; Alexander the Great, 2007; 20 x 24” (for CDL), 1999; Sphinx, 2002; Springs, 2017; Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Gray or Roan Colt, 2004; Valid Like Salad, 2012; Nice Rack, 2006; 20 x 24” (for CDL), 1999; Alexander the Great, 2007; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Huffy Howler, 2004; Hoarders, 2012; Warren Beatty, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). Front: Brownie, 2005. Back, left to right: 20 × 24” (for CDL), 1999; Untitled, 2012; Hoarders, 2012; Huffy Howler, 2004. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Warren Beatty, 2007; Alexander the Great, 2007; Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Sphinx, 2002; Brownie, 2005; Untitled, 1999; Dyanu, 1999; Poster, 2009. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Warren Beatty, 2007; Remote, 1999; Alexander the Great, 2007; Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Dyanu, 1999; Poster, 2009; Untitled, 1999; Views of the Garden, 1999; Brownie, 2005. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Sphinx, 2002. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Brownie, 2005; Sunset Series, 2000; Alexander the Great, 2007; Cindy, 2004; Valid Like Salad, 2012. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Huffy Howler, 2004; Nun and Frum, 1996; Warren Beatty, 2007; Sphinx, 2002; Alexander the Great, 2007; Dyanu, 1999; Untitled, 1999; Views of the Garden, 1999; Brownie, 2005; Valid Like Salad, 2012; Sunset Series, 2000. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Nice Rack, 2006; Valid Like Salad, 2012; Hoarders, 2012; Huffy Howler, 2004; Springs, 2017. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Hoarders, 2012; Huffy Howler, 2004; Springs, 2017; Warren Beatty, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Springs, 2017; Huffy Howler, 2004. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Sunset Series, 2000; Valid Like Salad, 2012. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Sunset Series, 2000; Gray or Roan Colt, 2004. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Sunset Series, 2000; Nice Rack, 2006; Gray or Roan Colt, 2004; 20 × 24” (for CDL), 1999. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Gray or Roan Colt, 2004; 20 × 24” (for CDL), 1999. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Nun and Frum, 1996; Alexander the Great, 2007; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Sphinx, 2002; Untitled (Poles for a Dangerous Art World), 1992. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Dyanu, 1999; Poster, 2009; Untitled, 1999; Views of the Garden, 1999; Brownie, 2005. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Nun and Frum, 1996; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Untitled from Perth Amboy, 2001; Sphinx, 2002. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Nice Rack, 2006; Cindy, 2004; Hoarders, 2012; Huffy Howler, 2004; Springs, 2017. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Sphinx, 2002; Untitled, 1999; Dyanu, 1999. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Dyanu, 1999; Alexander the Great, 2007; Untitled, 1999; Views of the Garden, 1999; Brownie, 2005. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Untitled, 2012; Siren Serenade, 2010; Marat/Sod, 2008. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Untitled, 2011; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2012; Untitled, 2011; Untitled, 2012. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Life on Mars, 2017; All in the Family, 2012; Travis Gregory, 2016; Marjorie, 2015; Caller ID, 2014; Panama Papers, 2016; Al Gore, 2007; I’m with Stupid, 2007; Lazy Hardware, 2012; Sculpture with Hot Sauce, 2018; Vampire Wannabes, 2010; Day’s Grape, 2002. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Kouros Descends Stairs, 2008; The Separation Of, 2017; Caller ID, 2014; Needle, 2006; Duck’s Legs and Carrots, 2006; Vampire Wannabes, 2010; Al Gore, 2007; All in the Family, 2012; Siren Serenade, 2010; Travis Gregory, 2016; Lazy Hardware, 2012; I’m with Stupid, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Life on Mars, 2017; Kouros Descends Stairs, 2008; Caller ID, 2004; Needle, 2006; Duck’s Legs and Carrots, 2006; Vampire Wannabes, 2010; All in the Family, 2012; Al Gore, 2007; Travis Gregory, 2016; Day’s Grape, 2002; Lazy Hardware, 2012; I’m with Stupid, 2007; The Opening, 2009. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Marat/Sod, 2008; The Help, 2012; Kouros Descends Stairs, 2008; Siren Serenade, 2010. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Day’s Grape, 2002; HOJOTOHO, 2012; Vampire Wannabes, 2010; Sculpture with Hot Sauce, 2018; Duck’s Legs and Carrots, 2006; Al Gore, 2007; Travis Gregory, 2016; The Separation Of, 2017; Caller ID, 2014; Needle, 2006; The Classics, 2018. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Duck’s Legs and Carrots, 2006; The Separation Of, 2017; Caller ID, 2014; All in the Family, 2012. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Vampire Wannabes, 2010; Day’s Grape, 2002; Duck’s Legs and Carrots, 2006; Sculpture with Hot Sauce, 2018; Lazy Hardware, 2012; Al Gore, 2007. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: I’m with Stupid, 2007; Panama Papers, 2016; Needle, 2006; All in the Family, 2012; The Classics, 2019; The Classics, 2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: HOJOTOHO, 2012; Sculpture with Hot Sauce, 2018; Al Gore, 2007; Vampire Wannabes, 2010. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Al Gore, 2007; Lazy Hardware, 2012; Sculpture with Hot Sauce, 2018; Vampire Wannabes, 2010; Day’s Grape, 2002. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Panama Papers, 2016; Al Gore, 2007; I’m with Stupid, 2007; Lazy Hardware, 2012; Day’s Grape, 2002. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Marat/Sod, 2008; The Help, 2012; Siren Serenade, 2010. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). From left to right: Life on Mars, 2017; Kouros Descends Stairs, 2008. Photograph by Ron Amstutz
Installation view of Rachel Harrison Life Hack (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 25, 2019–January 12, 2020). FullHD, 2019. Photograph by Ron Amstutz