Robert Rauschenberg - Inventive Genius (American Masters)

Rating:
Summary: Robert Rauschenberg, joyful inspiration!
Review: If you've never heard Robert Rauschenberg laugh with delight, you MUST get this video! What an absolute joy to find a great artist who so obviously enjoys life and his creativity. His friends even delight in all he brings to their lives. Imagine that! Oh - and his art is delicious. It's hard to believe that one man could contain so much inspiration and create so much art in so many ways. He identifies himself as a "painter" but is obviously so much more. Watching and hearing a bit about his creative process challenges us all to a new level of freedom and a lack of control in our own work. Rauschenberg is not your usual angst-ridden, tortured artist - and I'm so grateful to have made his video acquaintance. The only thing that could be better would be to just hang out with him.

Rating:
Summary: The Artist as a Mirror, Introducing Us to Ourselves
Review: This authoritative fifty-five minute documentary, on the artwork of Robert Rauschenberg, was produced, written and directed by Karen Thomas for the PBS American Masters series. The film follows the creative life of the artist, from his early studies at North Carolina's experimental Black Mountain College to around the year 1991 with the conclusion of the Rauschenberg Overseas Cultural Interchange[ ROCI ].

In the early 1950's, after his years at Black Mountain College, Rauschenberg moved to New York City. Robert found a loft and lived on a food budget of roughly twenty-five cents per day. He scavenged the streets of New York for junk materials, and then used them in a new synthesis of painting and sculpture called "combines". After a number of years, the curators of New York City's Jewish Museum took a risk and mounted an exhibition of these early works. The exhibition was warmly accepted by the public and lead to a welcomed "blessing" of the artist by SoHo art dealer Leo Castelli.

Simultaneously with his work on combines, Rauschenberg served as set designer, costume designer, lighting technician and stage manager for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. While on tour, he continued his method of scavenging junk materials from cities where the company appeared, to create innovative dance set designs. Another association, with the Judson Dance Theater, gave him additional experience in mounting his own thoroughly perplexing performance art pieces.

His success in the art world brought with it many distractions, so seeking a quiet environment for work, Robert moved to Captiva Island, Florida in the mid 1960's. The last 30 minutes of the documentary cover this prolific period in the artist's life, culminating in the formation of ROCI in 1984. ROCI traveled to many locations throughout the globe, seeking to promote understanding between its artistic participants and their audience. These activities spanned seven years, with a budget raised by Rauschenberg himself, amounting to approximately seven million dollars.

"Robert Rauschenberg - Inventive Genius" holds viewer attention through its presentation of many observations by Mr. Rauschenberg himself and also of his close circle of friends. The thoughts of a variety of art critics add nuance to our perception of Robert's seemingly countless works shown here. Rauchenberg's art is what it feels like to be in the world, and then have that world reflected by a spirit embodying endless exploratory enthusiasm. This program can be recommended, with a quiet confidence, to all fans of late 20th century experimental art.

Rating:
Summary: Informative but a little boring
Review: Very interesting and informative but a little on the dry side.