Right Under My Nose ...

You know, I always remember Robert Rauschenberg for the standard pieces in the Art History books. But today, I realized he is SO much more than I ever imagined, just by paging through a book. Over anything else, like everyone else, I know him mainly for his Combines. Combines are assemblages that 'combine' every day items and painting. Rauschenberg's known for his concern for the gap between art and life. These Combines served as instances in which the delineated boundaries between art and sculpture were broken down so that both were present in a single work of art. (Didn't know you were going to get an art history lesson, did you?) Rauschenberg is also known for his print of JFK and for transferring newspaper, photographs and magazine images into his artwork.

Bed, Monogram, Retroactive

However, while paging through a book in a colleagues office I found very stimulating and inspirational pieces that I can actually relate my own work. Who knew it was lying right under my nose all of this time. I am almost embarrassed. I even found a piece of his (Shades) that definitely resembles one of my own. (er, mine resembles his...) Who knew!

Shades, Bicycle, Solstice

Overdrive, Factum I, Coca-Cola Plan, Winterpool

His use of materials really makes me want to drop everything and create!! I love how he repurposes, collages, paints, his use of silhouettes, type, icons ...

A couple lessons that I learned today: Page through some books more often. Secondly, look past what the editors put in books and articles. There's so much more out there.