News Article

'Rauschenberg & Albers' Opens Feb. 26 at FSW

Feb 4, 2016

Bob Rauschenberg’s art returns to Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) this spring with an exhibition that examines the student-teacher relationship and features pieces that Rauschenberg made following his permanent move to Captiva Island, Fla. 

“Rauschenberg & Albers: Box vs. Square” opens February 26 to the public in the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW. An opening reception from 6-8 p.m. will include performances by internationally-acclaimed electro-acoustic violist Martha Mooke and Rauschenberg’s own band Sonic Combine.

“Our exhibit will be the first in-depth investigation anywhere of the student-teacher relationship between these two modern masters,” said Jade Dellinger, Director of the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW.

Works related to Rauschenberg’s “Cardboards” and “Cardbirds,” a collection of cardboard box sculptures he created after first moving to Captiva Island in 1970, will be the focus. Not only did these boxes symbolize the vessels carrying his life and art from New York City to Lee County, but they were also a nod to his former Black Mountain College teacher Josef Albers.

Albers, known for his “Homage to the Square” series, revolutionized the teaching of art with his research into color theory. He later wrote “Interaction of Color,” now used as the core textbook for FSW’s Color Theory class and in most art schools. Two copies of Albers’ portfolio/book will be on display and used for live demonstrations with FSW students. They will have unprecedented access to these items all semester.

“Rauschenberg & Albers” is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida with additional support from Chico’s International.

Events at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Holidays.

For more information about the gallery or upcoming events, visit www.RauschenbergGallery.com or call (239) 489-9313.

About The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery:

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery was founded as The Gallery of Fine Art in 1979 on the Lee County campus of Florida SouthWestern State College/FSW (then Edison Community College).  On June 4, 2004 the Gallery of Fine Art was renamed the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, to honor and commemorate our long time association and friendship with the artist.  Over more than three decades until his death, the Gallery worked closely with Rauschenberg to present world premiere exhibitions including multiple installations of the ¼ Mile or Two Furlong Piece.  The artist insisted on naming the space the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery (versus the “Robert Rauschenberg Gallery”) as it was consistent with the intimate, informal relationship he maintained with both our local Southwest Florida community and FSW.

About FSW:

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Last Updated: February 4, 2016