ROCI VENEZUELA research guide

This guide provides links to a selection of digitized or online materials related specifically to ROCI VENEZUELA.  Materials provided in this guide are for reference and research purposes only. For reproduction requests, email the archives.

 

Overview 
In June 1985, Rauschenberg traveled to Caracas and Maracaibo, as well as to the Amazonian Territory in preparation for ROCI VENEZUELA. For the exhibition that opened the following September at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas, Rauschenberg created a series of paintings and collages on canvas and plywood; as with most of the ROCI venues, Rauschenberg donated one of the exhibited works as a gift to the host country. He received the Andres Bello medal for outstanding achievement in the fields of culture and education, presented on behalf of Venezuela by President Jaime Lusinchi.

 

Artwork
This series of paintings and collage on canvas or plywood was made for ROCI VENEZUELA, part of the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange project, and exhibited at Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Caracas in 1985.

View select ROCI VENEZUELA artworks (RRF website)
View artwork checklist (PDF)  

 

Archival Documents 
Archival documents including itineraries, Rauschenberg's writings, and other materials related to Rauschenberg’s Venezuela trip and the ROCI VENEZUELA exhibition. 

View select digitized archival materials (PDF)

 

Catalogue 
Exhibition catalogue for the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange: ROCI VENEZUELA exhibition, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas, Venezuela, September 12–October 27, 1985. Jointly published for three ROCI exhibitions: Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. Introductions by Sofía Imber and Nena Ossa, essay by José Donoso, previously published introduction by Robert R. Littman, previously published essay by Robert Hughes, previously published statement by Rauschenberg, and previously published poem by Octavio Paz.

View catalogue (PDF)

 

Documentary Photographs 
Documentary photographs including installation images, travel snapshots and other images related to Rauschenberg’s trip and the ROCI VENEZUELA exhibition.

View select digitized documentary photographs (PDF)
View digitized snapshot contact sheets (PDF)

 

Oral Histories
Oral history transcripts of individuals involved in ROCI.

See ROCI Research Guide (webpage)

 

Press
Press release and press clipping for ROCI VENEZUELA.

View materials (PDF)
See ROCI Research Guide (webpage)

 

Rauschenberg's Photography
Contact and slide sheets for photographs taken by Rauschenberg during his travels in Venezuela.

View black and white contact sheets (PDF)
View 35mm slide scans and slide pages (PDF)

 

Videos
Raw and edited footage of Rauschenberg’s ROCI-related travels and documentation of ROCI exhibitions.

See ROCI Research Guide (webpage)

 

Other Materials (not digitized)
The majority of archival materials related to ROCI are not yet digitized and must be accessed onsite at the Foundation. Comprehensive information on these collections is found on the Archives Collections webpage. To find listings on related materials once on this page, scroll to the desired collection, download the finding aid PDF, and keyword search for "ROCI."

Below is a list of recommended collections to search. Email archives for help or questions.

  • Audiovisual Collection
  • Charles Yoder records related to the Rauschenberg Studio
  • Donald Saff records on Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI)
  • Photograph Collection
  • Robert Rauschenberg papers
Robert Rauschenberg sits in a canoe, with a camera in his hands. Three people sit behind him. The canoe is in the middle of a river, surrounded by lush rainforest.

Robert Rauschenberg taking photographs during a research trip for Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange: ROCI VENEZUELA, June 1985. Photo: Terry Van Brunt.