Robert Rauschenberg [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Sam Hunter (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Rauschenberg has been so prolific that few critics have a handle on his vast output or the sensibility and ideas behind it. Enter intrepid art historian Mattison, who observes Rauschenberg hard at work in his enormous, immaculate, high-tech Florida studio, where this master of intuition and spontaneity, who is actually as organized and efficient as an emergency room physician, works with a crew of energetic assistants at a breathless pace. Collaborations and an atmosphere conducive to the unexpected are crucial to Rauschenberg's "unfettered creativity," Mattison realizes, and the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated images that characterize Rauschenberg's work reflects his keen interest in the flux and multifariousness of life. Mattison also analyzes Rauschenberg's 20-year collaboration with choreographer Trisha Brown, parses Rauschenberg's attunement to urban life and fascination with space exploration, ponders the aesthetic implications of the artist's dyslexia, and chronicles Rauschenberg's wildly ambitious and highly controversial project entailing travel to and the making and exhibiting of art in 11 countries. Mattison's unique approach greatly enhances our appreciation for this taken-for-granted artist and his phenomenally complex art. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Throughout his illustrious career, Robert Rauschenberg has consistently challenged the prevailing ideologies and techniques of the art world. One of our greatest American artists, he redefined what materials were suitable for art, boldly rebelling against the predominant abstract expressionism of the time. This insightful analysis into Rauschenberg's work and life examines his bravery in pushing beyond technical and aesthetic frontiers as well as his influential dissemination of photography, film, and television, which altered the genre of traditional painting.

Rauschenberg's seminal works--from his "combines" (urban trash on painted surfaces) to his silk screens--are reproduced here in full color. The author also discusses some of the artist's more recent projects, including ROCI, Rauschenberg's own exhibition organization that showcases diverse artists from all over the world. Through beautiful photography and authoritative text, here is a well-rounded overview of one of the world's most pivotal artists.


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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications; illustrated edition edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847821838
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821839
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,090,011 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent effort, August 3, 2006

By	Steve (By DUNDEE Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Rauschenberg: Breaking Boundaries (Hardcover)

This study of Rauschenberg is a good source of biographical information, and will be useful to those new to the artist's work, but for those wanting to pursue the more complex theoretical implications of Rauschenberg's practice, they would be advised to look elsewhere. This is because Mattison's study takes the form of a relatively conventional monograph, and it doesnt really pay much attention to some of the most interesting literature on the artist by scholars like Leo Steinberg or Rosalind Krauss. Furthermore, it treats Rauschenberg as though he were a canonised "Old Master"- this is obvious from the introduction, where Mattison treats us to a detailed description of the artist's custom-built studio in Florida- the implication being that Rauschenberg is a kind of modern-day Rubens, turning out masterpieces with the help of his eager assistants. However, Rauschenberg's work (especially his early, seminal work), seriously calls into question notions of genius, authenticity, originality, and the like- all those sacred cows of art history. But Mattison avoids these thorny questions, mainly because I think that the book is aimed at a more mainstream audience.

There is some interesting stuff here- the section on Rauschenberg's dyslexia, and how it could help us shed light on his silkscreen printing, was good, as was the section on the development of "lateral thinking" in psychology, which was contemporaneous with Rauschenberg's emergence, and ties in nicely with some of his concerns, i.e. getting away from fixed, preconceived ideas and logical (or "vertical") thinking. Also, the section on New York's urban development in the late 50s was also enlightening with regard to Rauschenberg's combines from that time. There is also a lot of information about the artist's "Stoned Moon" book, produced during his trip to Cape Canaveral in 1969.

Overall, though, its a book to sift information from, rather than to sit down and enjoy- its relatively conventional nature means that its not an especially exciting read, although those new to the artist (and art history generally) may think differently.

8 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars patchwork collage of the mind, April 29, 2000

By	j - See all my reviews

Reflections of an artist mind unleashed, Rauschenberg's images of political and social issues are portayed through scattered images and expressive paint strokes. His use of mixed media portrays an intensity between his paintings and the connection expressed in his life and his surroundings.