Oral history interview with Sidney B. Felsen, 2013

Biographical Note

Sidney Felsen was born in Chicago, IL, and is a photographer, and the founder of Gemini G.E.L. (Graphic Editions Limited), a Los Angeles based artists' workshop and publisher of hand printed, limited edition lithographs. Sidney Felsen met Robert Rauschenberg in 1966, the same year Felsen cofounded Gemini. Since that time, Felsen has collaborated with many of the most important artists of the last fifty years. In addition to Rauschenberg, with whom he produced more than 250 different prints in over 35 years, Felsen has worked with Frank Gehry, Ann Hamilton, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Julie Mehretu, Elizabeth Murray, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella, and more

Scope and Contents

Sidney Felsen, photographer, and the founder of Gemini G.E.L. (Graphic Editions Limited), describes the printed editions produced at Gemini G.E.L., including Rauschenberg's Booster, Hoarfrosts, Stoned Moon, and American Pewter with William Burroughs. Felsen describes the postwar art scene in California and the ethos of Gemini G.E.L., relating stories of Rauschenberg's interactions with Hollywood stars interested in the arts including Warren Beatty, Dennis Hopper, Dustin Hoffman, Henry Winkler, and Gregory Peck. Felsen describes working with Rauschenberg in the Gemini print studio, as well as on a 1975 trip with the artist to Ahmedabad in India during a residency at the home of the Sarabhai family, where Felsen assisted Rauschenberg with the creation of the Bones and Unions series using techniques inspired by local craftsman and materials. Felsen discusses Rauschenberg's generous donations of his work for political causes, and recalls Bill Clinton speaking at Rauschenberg's memorial. He describes the atmosphere at Captiva, where long days of work would be interspersed with social events and camaraderie

Subjects

• Artistic collaboration.
• Artists--Interviews.
• Captiva Island (Fla.)
• Felsen, Sidney B., 1924---Interviews.
• Gemini G.E.L. (Firm)
• Interviews.
• McElhinney, James Lancel, 1952- interviewer.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Rauschenberg, Robert, 1925-2008.
• Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange.
• Textile fabrics in art.

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York and Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, 2014