Pop-art icon speaks about creative process

It was standing room only in the Visual Arts Building auditorium for the lecture and presentation by iconic pop artist James Rosenquist Wednesday night.

Rosenquist, along with Andy Warhol, Jim Dine and Claes Oldenburg, paved the way for pop art in the 1960s and his legendary work can be seen in museums all over the world.
Invited by Dr. Robert and Lisa Feldman, whose collection Fresh from Chelsea: 21 Young NYC Artists is now on display in the UCF Art Gallery, Rosenquist was able to reflect on his life's work and a present his newly published autobiography "Painting Below Zero: Notes of a Life in Art."

Although the audience ranged from students and faculty to art admirers within the community, it was no doubt that this event was an exciting opportunity for UCF.

"It's a privilege to have someone who has had such an impact on the art world come and visit," said Theo Lotz, director of the UCF Art Gallery and the Flying Horse Editions, Fine Arts Press.

American pop art was a movement that took existing images and combined them, creating something that was new. Rosenquist's influence can be seen in many other areas of art including the fine arts, contemporary arts and advertising.

"I think that a lot of art work since the 1960s has dealt with the idea of appropriation or borrowing of imagery for new purposes," Lotz said. "Although some may disagree, I think that hip hop is a great example because they take pieces of different songs and create a new beat."

Rosenquist said the one thing that influenced him the most over his career, was his college art professor Cameron Booth and believes that the art teacher plays a prominent role in an art student's career.

"It's very important to have someone push you along," Rosenquist said. "As a teacher you have to try to show your students how to do more than the aesthetics."

However, Rosenquist had a different message for students, stressing the importance of originality and knowledge of art history.

"Just study art history so that you don't repeat art history and think that it's new," Rosenquist said. "Don't waste your time doing something that's already done and think that you've invented it."

Lotz said that for students, studying Rosenquist is like studying Hemingway and that his visit will help to enhance their learning experience.

"He's somebody who in the 1960s was involved in radically changing the art world," Lotz said. "So to have him here to talk to students in person adds to their understanding."

But even the best sometimes face challenges and Rosenquist is no different. He said that the greatest challenge as an artist is beginning something new.

"No matter how good you are or what you've done, the next thing is always difficult," Rosenquist said. "Sometimes it just happens, but the hardest part is developing a question before anyone else."

Sean Walsh, a junior art major, said that the chance to see Rosenquist present his work was a one of a kind experience.

"It hit home because we hear about and see these things in our books, but to actually see him with his work and have him here was very special," Walsh said. "A lot of the people we talk about aren't around anymore, so to have someone who is still relevant come and talk to us is very rare and very inspiring."

Heather Renken, a senior art major specializing in painting, hopes that the art program will continue to provide students and the UCF community with more opportunities like Rosenquist's visit.

"I think [the Bachelor of Fine Arts] program should have more experiences like this," Renken said. "I feel like the school and the community needs this to help support the program."

The opportunity to meet and ask Rosenquist questions gave students and enthusiasts a closer look at the mind behind the masterpieces and connected the audience with the artist.

"I didn't know what the lecture would be like, but to have him show us his work was like walking through studio," Renken said. "Just to know what he thinks puts us closer to the artist."