The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will reopen its newly renovated Flight and Arts Center in July 2026 with a major exhibition devoted to Robert Rauschenberg. Titled “The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight,” the show features 30 works by the American Pop artist, some never before exhibited, tracing how aviation and space exploration themes permeated his six-decade career. Highlights include his lithograph *Sky Garden (Stoned Moon)*, inspired by the Apollo 11 mission, and works from his “Combines” series. The exhibition draws loans from the Hirshhorn Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.
The exhibition matters because it positions Rauschenberg’s fascination with flight as a central, under-explored thread in his oeuvre, linking his art to broader narratives of technological ambition and artistic freedom. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the museum’s flagship building and coincides with a centenary year that saw over 30 Rauschenberg exhibitions worldwide, reinforcing his enduring influence. By pairing the show with a second exhibition, “The Art of Air and Space,” featuring works by Goya, Man Ray, and others, the Smithsonian underscores the intersection of art and aerospace history, appealing to both art audiences and aviation enthusiasts.