Robert Rauschenberg
American, 1925 – 2008
Sterling / Whirl, 1993
Acrylic screenprint, acrylic hand painting, fire wax and silver pigment dust on paper with acrylic screenprint on Lexan in aluminum frame, 63 1/2 x 44 inches
One of two printer's proofs
Museum Purchase, Peter M. Wege
2008.18

Robert Rauschenberg was a devoted environmentalist throughout his life. In 1970 he became involved in the first Earth Day environmental teach-in and produced the first Earth Day poster to benefit the American Environment Foundation. At this time, he established his studio and permanent residence in Captiva, Florida, on land that he maintained as a natural habitat and animal preserve.

In 1992 – 93, Rauschenberg conceived his Eco-Echo series in collaboration with Saff Tech Arts in Oxford, Maryland. Working with Donald Saff, innovative director of technical production, Rauschenberg created nine windmill-like structures, each seven feet tall with images silkscreened on the blades. In an interactive exchange, the blades spin when a viewer approaches. The notion of sustainable energy from windmills coincided with Rauschenberg's longtime interest in motion in art. Sterling / Whirl was produced immediately following the Eco-Echo series and uses the image of a moving clock face and the spinning windmill to suggest the urgent need for wind-powered technology.