Anne Livet, a native Texan, spent her post-doctoral years working for the Fort Worth Art Museum in the early 1970s, writing endowment grants and pamphlets under art director Richard Koshaleck before collaborating with Robert Rauschenberg. She describes the political climate of the museum and her initial impressions of Rauschenberg when they collaborated with dancer Viola Farber on Brazos River in 1 977. She talks about how in 1978, Livet brought Frank Stella pieces to Fort Worth and earned rave reviews which made her known to important allies and collaborators. She talks about commissioning the first Rauschenberg work for a museum in Texas (Whistle Stop). She discusses how Rauschenberg first came to her with the idea for Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) and shares tales of traveling through China with ROCI. Livet addresses the opinions of Rauschenberg and describes his relation to sexuality, his philanthropic efforts, his generosity, his sensitivity, and his alcoholism
Abstract expressionism--United States; Art, Modern--20th century--United States; Alcoholism in art; Livet, Anne, 1941-; Rauschenberg, Robert, 1925-2008; Stella, Frank; Farber, Viola; Fort Worth Art Museum; Robert Rauschenberg Foundation; Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2014
Physical Description
102 pages
Note (Biographical)
Anne Livet was born in Fort Worth, TX. She attended Wellesley College and then graduated from Texas Christian University, where she received a Master’s in French literature. She is the author of Contemporary Dance and The Words of Edward Ruscha, and t he founder and president of Livet Reichard Company
Note
Interviewed by Sara Sinclair on October 15 and November 18, 2014
Note (Provenance)
Anne Livet, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2019