Off the Wall: A Portrait of Robert Rauschenberg

by Calvin Tomkins

Book Overview

Calvin Tomkins first discovered the work of Robert Rauschenberg in the late 1950s, when he began to look seriously at contemporary art. While gazing at Rauschenberg's painting Double Feature, Tomkins felt compelled to make some kind of literal connection to the work, and it is in that sprit that "for the last forty years it's been his] ambition to write about contemporary art not as a critic or a judge, but as a participant." Tomkins has...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312425856
• ISBN13: 9780312425852
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Picador USA
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Rauschenberg and an era

This is not only a great insight into Robert Rauschenberg, his life and his tallent, but gives a good review of the art world and the influences of that time.

Insightful review of Raschenberg's life and work

I had just read Tomkins exhaustive and excellent biography of Duchamp when I picked up this book to read. This book is very entertaining and eye opening yet not quite the detailed book that he wrote of Duchamp. That said, I would highly recommend you read this book, not just for the insight into Raschenberg's life and art, but also for the detail that Tompkins exercises about the Abstract Expressionist movement among others, and the contemporary artists whom Raschenberg interacted with during his time in New York.

BEST Book on Rauschenberg, Johns, et al.

Incredibly informative. Thomkins provides excrutiating detail in the most interesting way. Never a dull moment. If you have any interest in Rauschenberg, Johns, Happenings, etc., then you should read this book. There is no way that you will walk away without learning MANY new things.

A fascinating insider's view of the New York art world

Lucky, lucky, lucky. That's how I felt after a friend lent me a copy of this out-of-print book. Here was a first hand chronicle of the New York art scene from the 50s to the 70s. Although Rauschenberg was the main artist featured, interesting vignettes about other artists were included, from Jasper Johns to Marcel Duchamp, from De Kooning to Andy Warhol. Did you know that it was Rauschenberg who influenced Jasper Johns to quit his bookstore job and go full-time into art? Rauschenberg's career is fascinating itself. Read and enjoy.