I'd like to explore how Johns's and Rauschenberg's relationship affected each others' artwork, and how they were a "two man art movement" reaction to Abstract Expressionism. (It does seem a bit unfair to simply call it a "reaction" to Abstract Expressionism, because even though it was that, there was more substance to it.) I plan to do this by intermingling their distinctive imagery within this box.
The box (approx. 10" x 10" x 10") will be enclosed on all sides except for one; on this final side will be a black curtain that the viewer moves aside to see inside the box. Rauschenberg will be on the outside, that is, the outside of the box will be covered in cloth and paint echoing Rauschenberg's "Bed". The interior will be white paint over newspaper, in homage to Johns's "White Flag". There will be a tiny little sheep inside, like one of Rauschenberg's combines in minerature, but instead of it wearing a tire it will be wearing Johns's famous "Target" image, except in three dimensions.
Also, I'd really like the box to be illuminated from the inside. Both of them used lightbulbs, flashlights, and other electrical light imagery, so I feel like that would be important to include. I also feel like the light would intruige the viewer, and make them more inclined to pull aside the curtain and look inside. It also serves the very practical purpose of illuminating the interior to make it easier to see.
I feel that the piece can reflect their relationship, because the imagery is separate, it is united by virtue of being a part of the same object.
This entire project should have one keep in mind that art is never created in a vaccuum. An artist is affected by everything they experience, whether that experience is the politics and culture of the time, as it is reflected in Johns's and Rauschenberg's artwork, or one's relationships with other people.
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2 comments:
i really like some of your ideas. i like the blend of ideas like the sheep wearing the target. one thing that i was curious about is how you would position the box for display? i know that that was one thing i was thinking about for my own project and for your idea with the curtain i was interested in how you would set it up.
It's almost a kind of joke, like an art history diorama. Almost. I enjoy the way you want to play with the iconography of JJ&RR, like the simple replacement of the tire with the target - I think thats very effective. But don't forget that RR also did white paintings, and they have already done some of the work of using each others symbols in their work. (And don't forget it doesn't have to be all about them - where are you in this box?)
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