Synopses & Reviews
Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who came to prominence in the 1950s transition from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. Rauschenberg studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Académie Julian in Paris, France. In 1948 Rauschenberg and his wife Susan Weil decided to attend Black Mountain College in North Carolina, where he studied under Josef Albers. Rauschenberg is well-known for his "Combines" of the 1950s, in which non-traditional materials and objects were employed in innovative combinations. Rauschenberg's approach was sometimes called "Neo-Dada."
Rauschenberg's oft-repeated quote that he wanted to work "in the gap between art and life" suggested a questioning of the distinction between art objects and everyday objects, reminiscent of the issues raised by the notorious "Fountain," by Dada pioneer, Marcel Duchamp. While the Combines are both painting and sculpture, Rauschenberg also worked with photography, printmaking, papermaking, and performance. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1993. He also won a Grammy Award for his album design of 'Talking Heads' album, Speaking in Tongues.
This exhibition catalogue doubles as an accompanying "reader," expanding upon the show at Gagosian Gallery in New York. The book features works by over 65 artists, and each chapter features works in Rauschenberg's collection by that artist, also featuring rare archival photographs. Artists within the collection include Joseph Beuys, Mathew Brady, Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Brice Marden, Henri Matisse, Ed Ruscha. Extended excerpts and artist biographies by the celebrated writer Mimi Thompson complement illustrations of artworks and archival photographs, showing the influence of the artists work or friendships within Rauschenberg's collection. Robert Storr writes an introduction focusing uniquely on Rauschenberg's art community, and how these artists were influenced, influenced Rauschenberg, and influenced each other.
Synopsis
The accompanying volume to an exhibition of Robert Rauschenbergs personal collection, held at Gagosian Gallery, New York. Expanding upon the exhibition at Gagosian Gallery in New York (2011), this book doubles as an accompanying "reader" and features works by over sixty-five artists from Rauschenbergs collection, including Joseph Beuys, Mathew Brady, Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Jasper Johns, Brice Marden, Henri Matisse, Ed Ruscha, Cy Twombly, and Andy Warhol. Art historian and scholar Robert Storr contributes an essay focusing on Rauschenbergs inspirations, friendships, and affinities as well as their myriad of interrelations. Biographies of each artist written by Mimi Thompson complement the illustrations of artworks and rare archival photographs, and show the influence of the artists work within Rauschenbergs unique collection.
About the Author
Robert Storr is an American curator, academic, critic, and painter. From 1990 to 2002 he was a curator in the department of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and he was the director of the Venice Biennale in 2007. He is currently the dean of the Yale School of Art. Mimi Thompson is a writer and critic living in New York.