Saturday, November 17, 2012

Keeping alive the legacy of Robert Rauschenberg

"Art Can Change the World" ― Robert Rauschenberg, 1982

Robert Rauschenberg was the defining force in contemporary art for nearly sixty years, creating a wealth of art (painting, photography, sculpture, performance, and printmaking) more varied than that of any artist of the twentieth or twenty-first centuries. 

For him, painting entailed not only using a brush, but also silkscreening, collaging, transferring, and imprinting, and he did so on the widest array of materials from canvas, board, and fabric to sheet metal, Plexiglas, plaster, and paper. He has been called a forerunner of virtually every postwar American art movement since Abstract Expressionism, however, he remained fiercely independent from any particular affiliation throughout his protean life.

Robert Rauschenberg formed the foundation in 1990 to promote awareness of the causes and groups close to his heart. Activities of the Foundation have included grant making, educational programs, prints and campaigns to benefit environmental and humanitarian initiatives. Today, it extends this scope with varied programs, including a new grant for artistic innovation and collaboration, and direct assistance for the advancement of art. The Foundation's Vision, Mission and Strategy are coordinated to promote the artist's values and to ensure that all endeavors express the essence of Robert Rauschenberg's philosophy: "Art Can Change the World."

The vision of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is to share with the world the creative and civic-minded spirit that exemplified this artist's life. We will seek opportunities that showcase the qualities of being fearless, innovative, collaborative and pattern-breaking. We will strive to encourage a dialogue that is a voice for positive change.

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation seeks to further the artist's philanthropic and educational initiatives, and aims to preserve and advance global understanding of the legacy of Robert Rauschenberg's life and artwork. After Super storm Sandy, it has formed a partnership with the Warhol Foundation to direct funds to NYFA, which is providing direct assistance to artists impacted by the hurricane. An official note on the site states: “This may only remedy a small part of a huge loss, but every action counts as people rebuild their lives. RRF and the Warhol Foundation will also assist arts organizations with rebuilding; groups can apply directly through the link on our grants page.”

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