For a thorough understanding of the development of the American art scene in the 1950s and 1960s, it is essential to have a close look on the early work of the forerunner Robert Rauschenberg whose art bridged the way between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. In this context, it is equally important to analyze Susan Sontag’s essays on art and style from the mid-1960s which had a precursory function in the art critic world and promoted a new kind of sensibility to the audience.
To understand the development of Rauschenberg’s art concept, which was breathtakingly new at its time, it is inevitable to look at his artistic career and the different influences on his work from artistic models, teachers, and fellow artists. Additionally, an analysis of the 1950s and 1960s art scene and the change of the audience’s reception are equally necessary to recognize the significance of Rauschenberg’s work for its time and beyond. Sontag was one of the first critics to fully acknowledge the importance of Rauschenberg’s ideas for the development of the American art scene. Her essay collection is thus in itself a pioneer work of a new kind of art criticism.
Rauschenberg’s artwork as well as Sontag’s essays on the arts challenged people’s perspective on art and its functions. Even though Sontag only directly refers twice to Rauschenberg’s artwork in her essay collection "Against Interpretations", her ideas of the new kind of art of the late 1950s and early 1960s nevertheless strongly correspond to Rauschenberg’s art concept. The artist and the art critic thus paved the way for a new understanding of art and its reception.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Robert Rauschenberg’s New Art
III. The ‘New Sensibility’ of Artworks and Art’s Reception
i. “First Landing Jump”
ii. “Pilgrim”
IV. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the transformative role of Robert Rauschenberg’s "Combines" in the American art scene of the 1950s and 1960s, examining how his work bridged the gap between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art while challenging traditional boundaries between art and everyday life. By analyzing Susan Sontag’s contemporary essays on art and style, the research investigates the shift in audience reception and the emergence of a "new sensibility" that prioritizes direct sensory experience over traditional interpretation.
- Evolution of Rauschenberg's artistic concept and his departure from Abstract Expressionism.
- The integration of urban, "found" objects into the museum context.
- Susan Sontag’s theoretical framework regarding art as an extension of life rather than a source of narrative meaning.
- Detailed analysis of the "Combines" artworks "First Landing Jump" and "Pilgrim."
- The broader impact of Rauschenberg’s work on the development of Pop Art and the role of the modern spectator.
Excerpt from the Book
III.i “First Landing Jump” [pic.1]
The assemblage “First Landing Jump” consists of a large carton canvas painted with oil paint and prepared with objects from materials such as textile, metal, and leather. A few identifiable objects are glued to the canvas such as a rusty license plate from Connecticut, a light bulb, a wooden barrier, a tire, and several cables. All materials and objects are old, not in use anymore, worn out. When they were intact, they all functioned as useful devices in our technological world. The light bulb started to glow when electricity ran through the cables. The license plate, wooden barrier, and especially the tire belonged to our crowded urban streets and their never-ending traffic. Now, being used and broken, the objects have lost their original functions and are considered urban junk. But even though their functionality has vanished, they remain what they are: common objects of our everyday life in modern societies. As real objects, they trigger sensations, feelings, emotions within the audience.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter outlines the development of the American art scene and introduces Rauschenberg as a pivotal figure whose work challenged existing perceptions of art, supported by the critical framework of Susan Sontag.
II. Robert Rauschenberg’s New Art: This section details Rauschenberg’s background, influences, and the evolution of his technique, specifically focusing on his use of "found" urban materials to blur the boundaries between life and art.
III. The ‘New Sensibility’ of Artworks and Art’s Reception: This chapter examines the intellectual discourse surrounding the reception of Rauschenberg’s work, emphasizing the necessity for an active, sensory-driven engagement from the audience.
IV. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the legacy of Rauschenberg’s "Combines," noting his influence on Pop Art and the lasting shift toward an art practice that values the object itself over traditional interpretation.
Keywords
Robert Rauschenberg, Combines, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Susan Sontag, New Sensibility, Art Criticism, First Landing Jump, Pilgrim, Urban Junk, Assemblage, Art and Life, Sensory Experience, Post-modernism, Materiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the artistic development of Robert Rauschenberg in the 1950s and 1960s, specifically his "Combine" paintings that bridge the gap between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
What are the key themes addressed in the work?
Key themes include the fusion of art and life, the transformation of ordinary objects into art, the shift in art criticism, and the active role of the viewer's sensory response.
What is the main objective or research question?
The paper aims to demonstrate how Rauschenberg’s work challenged traditional definitions of art and how Susan Sontag’s theories helped provide an intellectual foundation for this new, experiential approach to art.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author uses a historical and art-critical methodology, analyzing biographical data, contemporary interviews, and the critical essays of Susan Sontag to interpret specific artworks.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers Rauschenberg's artistic biography, his shift away from Abstract Expressionism, the theoretical concepts of "New Sensibility," and a case-study analysis of "First Landing Jump" and "Pilgrim."
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Primary keywords include Robert Rauschenberg, Combines, New Sensibility, Art and Life, Susan Sontag, and Pop Art.
How does Rauschenberg define his "Combines"?
Rauschenberg defined his work as a combination of sculpture and painting, stating that he tries to "act in the gap between the two" to integrate the realities of life into the art world.
Why is the role of the viewer considered essential in Rauschenberg’s work?
Because Rauschenberg’s work does not provide a fixed narrative or moral meaning, the viewer must actively engage their own imagination and sensory perceptions to complete the experience of the artwork.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Longolius (Author), 2004, Robert Rauschenberg's 'Combines' - Masterpieces of the New Sensibility - Between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41722
