James Rosenquist: Painting As Immersion

Exhibition at the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, 18 November 2017 - 4 March 2018

With a background in advertising and painting billboards, James Rosenquist (1933-2017) had a unique perspective on the dual effects of imagery and scale on the viewing experience. His colossal pieces are immersive--they surround the viewer and dominate most gallery spaces.

This exhibition catalogue examines the artist's process of creating image-laden abstractions through his source materials. It presents both well-known and rarely exhibited pieces, including F-111 and The Swimmer in the Economist, to show how juxtaposing seemingly incongruent images creates a powerful mirror of commercialist culture.