Robert Rauschenberg – Pop Art and Neo Dada

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Sometimes art has an immediate appeal. Steinbeck’s East of Eden had me captured from line one, the same goes for Debussy’s angelic soundscapes. There’s no need for analysis, but plenty of enrichment to be found if you do.

Robert Rauschenberg’s (1925-) art can be added to this list. Art fanatics will argue that non-provocative art is no art at all, but Rauschenberg’s compositions and choice of colours offer satisfaction and contentment without losing its power. They’re beautiful works to be admired per se, not relying on provoked connotations. If my memory serves me right, this is entirely in touch with Rauschenberg’s intentions, particularly in his early years, and is the thought behind his White Paintings (1951). By painting and exhibiting white canvases, he attempted to remove his work from all narrative and context, inspiring contemporary composer John Cage to write 4’33” (1952) – a piece where musicians perform 4.33 minutes of silence.

Rauschenberg was in many ways a pioneer in his field, always pushing for new definitions. My favourite story is when he was invited to participate in an exhibition at the Galerie Iris Clert in 1961, where artists where to create portraits of the owner Iris Clert. Rauschenberg’s contribution was a telegram sent to the gallery, reading “This is a portrait of Iris Clert if I say so”.

 

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Tags: pop art, robert rauschenberg, white paintings