Author Talks Online: Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo

Art in Flight: Reinventing Postmodernism

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About the Virtual Event

Join us for a captivating online conversation with acclaimed author and Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo as we dive into her fascinating book, The Ascent of Rauschenberg. Explore the towering legacy, unexpected inspirations, and creative heights of one of America's most influential artistic icons.

Most famous for his groundbreaking "Combines"—painting and sculpture hybrids that often incorporated everyday objects—American artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) created within a range of mediums, including collage, performance, photography, and printmaking. But a connective tissue through it all was his fascination with flight. The Ascent of Rauschenberg explores the flight motif across his work, spanning birds, insects, aviation, spaceflight, sensory experiences, and metaphors for his own life.

About the Author

Carolyn Russo is curator of the art collection at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. 

About Author Talks Online

Wright Library is proud to present Author Talks Online, a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium and funded by the Wright Library Foundation. This virtual program series features 2-3 online bestselling-author events per month which are streamed to patrons of member libraries. These are live events with interactive Q&A sessions where participants can ask questions directly to the author.

Register in advance to receive reminders of the live event and have the opportunity to submit questions to the interviewer beforehand. Can't make the live event? All programs are recorded and archived online where you can stream past programs on demand.

Archived events and more upcoming virtual author talks can all be found at Wright Library Author Talks Online.