I was browsing a New York Times Article, and it spoke of an artist by the name of Robert Rauscheburg who passed away a few years ago. And the author of this article put the artist in such an amazing light that I was tempted to read on about him. Robert Rauschenburg (1925- 2008) made over 6,000 pieces of artwork from the years 1950- 2007, no two pieces being the same. He slid in and out from different styles, and used different mediums and sources of inspiration to make his art. Not only that, but in the 1980s Rauschenburg created the “Rauschenburg Overseas Cultural Interchange.” He gave grant money and funds so that artists and large scale projects could be able to make art. Robert Rauschenburg believed that “if he, or we, or anyone could just produce enough art, then art and life would be the same thing, and the world would change for the better.”
That’s what captivated me about this article. I’ve heard many philosophies on how life can be improved, ideas that range from genocide to using love as the answer to everything. I’ve never heard a philosophy that states that by making art a prominent aspect of your life, life becomes art, therefore life becomes better. I may not entirely agree with it at this point but it is certainly interesting. And his way of achieving this philosophy through the use of generous grants out of his own pocket seems even more admirable to me.
Not to mention, he would always pull a few strings for the sake of art. He recommended four new artists to the Stable Gallery (new artists were always invited to the show) but after the gallery said no, Rauschenburg gave these artists the chance to display one of their works in his exhibition.
Robert passed away two years ago, and now the Gagosian Gallery is handling his estates. Not to mention, the work that they are displaying of his is also for sale. That is another matter apart from the deceased artist, but I almost wish they put up authentic copies of his work for sale and not the original piece. I think original art should be priceless and for “display only.”
This isn’t a suggested outing, but Robert Rauschenburg definitely sounds like a remarkable artist.
Short Circuit (Combine Painting), 1955 Just one of his many pieces
For more information on the exhibition, click here
For the New York Times Article, click here
