The "citizen artist" who moved from abstract expressionism to pop and happenings without accepting a dime of government support has died. Rauschenberg also produced commercial and commissioned art, like the cover for a Talking Heads albumNo law or joint agreement could accomplish anything but esthetic rot. We have smelt that stench before in countries attempting political muscle by inhibiting the creativity of the arts. This policy has been the downfall of the most aggressive powers.
Provision of government support for the arts is not the same thing as censorship thereof. The government can play a benefactor role (as it does for ballets, operas, orchestras in many countries) without distorting the "purity" of the output. Would you have prefered patrons with state-like interests had offered no patronage to the many of the Renaissance masters?
ReplyDeleteI was trying to find a better quote but none of the online obituaries had anything about Rauschenberg's hostility to government sponsored art. If you can find something more appropriate, please send.
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