Rauschenberg in front of the Fish House with Global Chute (Kabal American Zephyr) (1982) Captiva Florida circa 1982. Photo: Terry Van Brunt
Throughout his career Robert Rauschenberg used his platform as an artist to increase knowledge about global issues and to raise money for many causes and organizations.
The safekeeping of the environment and the notion of individual responsibility for the welfare of life on earth was one of Rauschenberg’s key causes. This commitment to the environment that extended throughout various aspects of his work and life took focus in 1970 when he purchased his first tract of land on Captiva Island. Rauschenberg viewed his residence in Captiva as dependent on the natural environment of the island. He therefore focused on the maintenance of this land as a natural habitat throughout his lifetime. Images from the surrounding landscape and wildlife as well as of issues that affected the island such as water conservation served as regular inspiration for his work. Over the course of forty years he bought historic cottages and adjacent land to preserve and protect it from encroaching commercial development and undertook a significant restoration of the landscape after Hurricane Charley in 2004.
Today the property remains intact as a pristine natural environment, hosting more than seventy artists each year for month-long residencies in Rauschenberg’s former home and studio.
Rauschenberg + Environment
Rauschenberg at Gemini G.E.L. Los Angeles 1969. Photo: Sidney B. Felsen © 1969; Rauschenberg's Collection 1954.
Foundation Announces Pioneering Fair Use Image Policy
We are pleased to announce a new Fair Use policy- the first to be adopted by an artist-endowed foundation–that will make images of Rauschenberg's artwork more accessible to museums, scholars, artists, and the public.
Rauschenberg working on The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981–98) in his Laika Lane studio, Captiva, Florida, ca. 1983. Photo: Attributed to Terry Van Brunt
Rauschenberg in China: The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece to travel nearly 7000 miles to be exhibited in Beijing, June 2016
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is delighted to announce that the artist's The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981–98) will be shown at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing from June 12–August 21, 2016.
Shirin Neshat, Ghada and Sayed, 2013. Images courtesy Gladstone Gallery
Foundation Donates Limited Edition Shirin Neshat Prints to Universities Around the World to Encourage Dialogue
With support from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Shirin Neshat created a series of portraits titled
The Anagram Series: Rauschenberg at Work 2015. Video: color 4 minutes 32 seconds. Courtesy Pace Gallery New York. Original film footage shot by Film Odyssey Inc. for the PBS documentary Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius. Courtesy Film Odyssey Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed by Pace 2015.
New Oral History Featuring Founder of Pace Gallery; Footage of Rauschenberg Working in His Studio
The foundation is pleased to announce that Robert Rauschenberg: Anagrams, Arcadian Retreats, Anagrams (A Pun) will remain on view at Pace Gallery, 534 West 25
Rauschenberg working on Lilac Role [Anagram (A Pun)] (1997), Captiva Drive studio, Florida, 1997. Photo: George Holzer, courtesy of Saff Tech Arts
Rauschenberg's birthday celebrated with an exhibition of late works at Pace Gallery
On what would have been Robert Rauschenberg's 90th Birthday, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is pleased to announce an exhibition of important late work by the artist opening at Pace Gallery. A public reception will be held tonight from 6 to 8 pm at 534 West 25th Street, New York.
Rauschenberg and a Tibetan official at the opening ceremony for ROCI TIBET, Revolutionary Exhibition Hall, Lhasa, December 5, 1985. Photo: Thomas Buehler
The ROCI Road to Peace: International Call for Student Artist Submissions
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Artsy, and Nicole Bray, the 2015 winner of the Robert Rauschenberg Emerging Curator Competition, invite students enrolled at accredited institutions to submit artworks to be considered for inclusion in the inaugural Emerging Curator exhibition.
Film still from Mostly About Rauschenberg (1975), an unreleased film originally produced by Michèle Arnaud and Reiner Moritz, and directed by Christine Kozlov, Rauschenberg, and Mayo Thompson.
Exploring the Archives with the New York Times
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is in the early stage of processing our rich collection of archival materials.