Within the intricate complexities of Foucault’s method lies the implication of a radical transformation in the basic units that support historical humanistic discourse. The prominence of discontinuity, rupture, threshold, limit, and transformation supplants conventional notions such as influence, development, evolution, origin, and source. As an artist, it is in this context that I investigate Rauschenberg’s painting, attempting to decipher the profound implications that Foucault’s perspective reveals.
Foucault argues that if the surface of Rauschenberg’s painting conveys the type of transformation advocated by Steinberg, it is impossible to assert its development or position it as a simple continuation of a modernist pictorial surface. The enigmatic nature of Rauschenberg’s flat press paintings generates an unmistakable sense of rupture or discontinuity with the modernist past, among a multitude of contemporaneous works. Foucault identifies transformative moments in the epistemological realm, and it is possible that we are witnessing one of these moments in this anticipation of rupture and transformation. It appears that the very foundation of our knowledge is undergoing a radical transformation.
However, it is essential to recognize that this transformative power extends beyond the realm of knowledge organization alone. Concurrently with these epistemological changes, new power structures emerge within the complex tapestry of history, giving rise to new discourses that reshape the sociocultural landscape. The interplay between power and knowledge fragments the historical trajectory into a tableau of shifting realities in a dance of perpetual reconfiguration.
As I ponder this profound reorientation of thought and artistic practice, I am reminded of the enormous responsibility artists bear. Our creations, whether paintings, sculptures, performances, or installations, have the capacity to provoke and challenge prevalent paradigms. The very act of artistic expression can generate transformative moments, forging new paths and upsetting the established order.
In this way, the flat press paintings of Rauschenberg are striking examples of this transformative potential. They urge us to abandon the familiar, to abandon the reassuring confines of artistic continuity, and to embrace the unsettling appeal of disruption. By means of their jarring juxtapositions, unconventional materials, and fusion of disparate elements, these artworks propel us into uncharted territories of perception and meaning.
However, tension arises within this exhilarating realm of change. The act of rupture itself, the deconstruction of the dominant narrative, necessitates the development of new narratives and discourses. Power and knowledge are inextricably intertwined, as Foucault astutely observed, and epistemological shifts frequently accompany the emergence of new power institutions. As a result, as we navigate these waters of transformation, we must be mindful of the potential pitfalls and unintended outcomes that may arise.
As I interact with the materials and concepts that inform my artistic practice, I endeavor to challenge prevalent norms and expand the boundaries of artistic expression. By embracing the disruptive force of rupture and discontinuity, I hope to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the epistemological landscape, thereby expanding the horizons of artistic discourse and encouraging the emergence of new narratives.
By challenging the conventional notion of a modernist pictorial surface, Rauschenberg’s work compels us to question the very basis of our artistic heritage. It encourages us to develop a nuanced understanding of art as a dynamic and multifaceted entity, calling into question the linear progression of artistic movements.
By embracing the concepts of rupture and discontinuity, we come to realize that artistic expression is not limited to a linear trajectory, but rather exists as a dialogue between the past and the present, tradition and innovation. The paintings of Rauschenberg disrupt the notion of unbroken evolution and force us to confront the unsettling realities of artistic discontinuity and change.
Additionally, we must recognize the inherent power dynamics at play in this discourse. Foucault observed astutely that power and knowledge are intertwined. Therefore, transformative moments in the field of epistemology are not isolated occurrences, but rather occur within a broader sociopolitical context.
Transformations in the arts can be both a reflection of and a challenge to existing power structures. The emergence of new power institutions and discourses is indicative of the changing dynamics of social power struggles. As artists, we must be mindful of the possibility of appropriation of our creative expressions and vigilant in our efforts to challenge dominant narratives and power structures.
Moreover, the transformative potential of art transcends the intellectual and artistic domains. It permeates the social and cultural spheres, inspiring transformation and shaping the collective consciousness. Expressions of the arts that deviate from tradition and challenge established norms have the capacity to mobilize individuals, stimulate dialogue, and spark social and political transformations.
I recognize my obligation to navigate the complex terrain of power and knowledge. Artists are obligated to be conscious of the power dynamics inherent to artistic production and dissemination, and to continually challenge the structures that perpetuate inequality and exclusion. We actively contribute to the creation of new narratives, inclusive discourses, and liberatory artistic practices by embracing Foucault’s concept of rupture and transformation.
To comprehend the dynamics of artistic expression, Foucault’s perspective on rupture, transformation, and the interplay of power and knowledge provides a compelling framework. Robert Rauschenberg’s flat press paintings illustrate the transformative power of art, compelling us to question and challenge established paradigms. As artists, we have the opportunity and responsibility to harness this transformative power, thereby contributing to the emergence of new power institutions and discourses that reflect the complexities of our time.
Michel Foucault, “The Archaeology of Knowledge” (France)
Rosalind Krauss, “The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths” (United States)
Hal Foster, “The Return of the Real: The Avant-Garde at the End of the Century” (United States)
Amelia Jones, “Body Art/Performing the Subject” (United States)
John Rajchman, “Foucault’s Art of Seeing” (United States)
David Macey, “The Lives of Michel Foucault: A Biography” (United Kingdom)
Jonathan Crary, “Techniques of the Observer: On Vision and Modernity in the 19th Century” (United States)
Claire Bishop, “Artificial Hells: Participatory Art and the Politics of Spectatorship” (United Kingdom)
Thierry de Duve, “Kant After Duchamp” (Belgium)
Jacques Rancière, “The Emancipated Spectator” (France)