Robert Rauschenberg: Among Friends at THE MUSEUM of MODERN ART

James Kalm experienced an artistic come to Jesus moment when he discovered the work of Robert Rauschenberg. In the mid 1970’s, your correspondent returned from nearly three years in Europe, and was eager to begin his journey in the art world. The work of Rauschenberg, who was considered the most recognized artist in America at the time, bore a resemblance to that of Kurt Schwitters, and yet had the added conceptual complication of Marcel Duchamp. This Exhibition, the largest since the artist’s death in 2008, covers over fifty years of his out put, and presents some his greatest masterpieces. With a diversified approach to media, method, mode and style, and a range of works in painting, collage, assemblage, sculpture, drawing, dance, photography and performance, this show will do much to reestablish the seminal importance of Robert Rauschenberg, as the most influential American artist of the twentieth century.

[@cho3814]

Thanks so much😍 from🇰🇷

[@michaellawson2797]

U know james I live in st petersburg fl so as an artist raushenburg means alot to me so I went down to captiva island prob 6 or so yrs before his death hopeing to meet him I made it on to his beach didn't get to meet him but was lucky enough to see him working in his studio from a distance so I'll remmber that for the rest of my life

[@jameskalm]

I met him once at a fabric store on 14th Street across the street from Union Square. He invited me to come back to his studio, but I had to get back to work...

[@terrysanders8564]

Thanks James......beautiful job

[@brydon10]

You've done it again James, thanks so much.

[@nancydoyle595]

great! thank you!!!!! so good of you to make and share this video.

[@shaunm3206]

I saw this show in London earlier in the year. It blew my head off. I spent the whole day there. One of the best shows I've ever been to. I loved the transfer series and great to see them all together.

[@robertspies4695]

Monumentally important exhibit and great video work amongst the guards. Thanks James and Kate.

[@cadykyst1234]

Thank you, James.

[@meltdowngrfx969]

Great video - can't wait to see it in person!

[@rr7firefly]

Thank you for the high resolution. Almost like being there.

[@jameskalm]

Thanks, we do what we can...

[@rr7firefly]

I recognize your name from other well-documented exhibitions. You do us a very big service (we with undiminished appreciation for art but few opportunities to travel).

[@ErikJoeNoise02]

Thank you for the high resolution. Almost like being there. [2] Cheers !!! 🤟💜

[@nortbulinga]

i would have liked be there ! thanks

[@KayAmooty433]

This was so enjoyable. Thank you.

[@benksy96]

I love your voice over explanations.

[@LockedPig]

Yeah, baby, that's Rauschenberg here! I think he's great.

[@sculptor3d]

I just watched this video for the second time and believe me, it won't be the last. It's 1:42 a.m., time for studio time in Joshua Tree CA. Before it hits 100+.

[@sculptor3d]

Hi James, I've always loved RR's work and it just hit me as something he does that JJ doesn't. RR always leaves an opening for others to follow. There's more from me in another post but for right now I'll be back to watching the video again. It looks as if Monogram has some sort of protective plexi around it, too bad. Thanks James and thanks Kate.

[@GarnetLynne]

thanks James, and thank you Kate! you should get a special pass, you do all of us who can't make it to the big apple a great service.

[@EdSmiley]

Thanks. Especially coming in on the down low and being a secret agent for those who had to miss this show. I just wanted to amplify one thing you touched on, and that Rauschenberg is a master of color, and the found objects are assembled with tremendous coloristic attention to working together. It's easy to miss in the onslaught of the guy's inventiveness in materials, techniques, and imagery!

[@EdSmiley]

OK one other thing. As well as Albers and Cage, being influences, it is worthy of note that he worked as de Kooning's studio assistant, and did the daily photographing of his paintings for a time.

[@jameskalm]

I have never heard that, and never heard any mention of it in all the studies I've made...

[@EdSmiley]

@@jameskalm Don't bother Googling, cause the _Erased de Kooning Drawing_ will suck up all the juice. However... Worried I am getting senile, got some books out. Yeah he did take some photos of de Kooning's work! I think it was more in the capacity of studio visitor, but he knew de Kooning, and took some state photos circa 1952. You can find his B&W image of Woman II in Zilczer, and also in the MOMA Retrospective book. Zilczer says that he took "photos", so there were multiple. Again, thanks for all your "half-assed" reporting.

[@jameskalm]

@@EdSmiley Okay, I know they were antiquated through the Artists Club, and hanging out together at the Ceder Tavern, I was just thinking that taking some photos of work in someone's studio is a lot different than being their "studio assistant"...?

[@EdSmiley]

@@jameskalm I think I had slightly misremembered. Photographing work involved slogging some camera equipment back in the day. No iPhones. But it would not qualify as an assistant. My bad.

[@user-fb6yp8xt5t]

I really like the music at the start.

[@jonathansanchez3752]

Great content, keep up the good work James!!!

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Golly! Haha! I love the piano scourge/staredown at 7:25!!

[@jamesevans9138]

Hi James great video of an excellent exhibition. Could I make a request for a video of the permanent collection of the Guggenheim I would love to see all their Kandinsky. Keep up the great work.

[@concreteturtle4197]

Some of your best camera work (I actually thought...)!

[@jameskalm]

Thanks. Concrete, as long as I get the images, and can get them out to the peps that's what's important...

[@michaellawson2797]

That would been soo cool

[@NandiLoaf]

💥💥💥

[@paulmccoy5018]

There are many more works in this show than when I went to see the exhibition at Tate Modern

[@jameskalm]

I'm sure that the curators were able to barrow lots of work from local collectors who might have been leery of letting them travel overseas(?).

[@kareymaurice3236]

So many artists today should give credit where credit is due. A lot of artworks out there today are just tiny extractions of Robert Rauschenberg I think?

[@nicholasmavris9791]

James! Been following and appreciating your work for years. I'm in New York for the next 2 weeks looking for a guide for an upcoming art group; Would you be interested?

[@jameskalm]

Thanks for offer Nikky but I'm up to my eyeballs in work and obligations, so no time. Hope you enjoy your visit to NYC...

[@matthancock7485]

The Johns flag in Short Circuit is in fact by one E.Sturtevant (the original Johns was stolen). Thanks for the report which was great as ever, I agree with the comment below, sad that some of the earlier works didn't travel to London.

[@jameskalm]

Hey mr hancock, you get a gold star for noticing that the flag was replaced (the original Johns flag was stolen). And do you know who did the other piece (?) (Hint, it was an artist intimately known by Rauschenberg)...

[@matthancock7485]

Cool. I am going for Susan Weil in that case.

[@jameskalm]

Yeah, Susan was Bob's former wife, and I believe this piece was made for the Stable Gallery's group show in 1955.

[@matthancock7485]

That's really interesting. Thanks again from this loyal fan.

[@grahamtownsend3751]

blueprints aka calotypes

[@JadenJahci]

Jaden Jahci Add a public comment. Umm,......whatever everybody else said. Sincerely, Andy Warhol

[@pacolane1756]

Nice- thanks. Albers vs. Hofmann-interesting thought. Drive safe✌️️

[@jameskalm]

Correction, it's Albers vs. John Cage (I don't think Rauschenberg studied with Hofmann).