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RAUSCHENBERG: OVERSEAS CULTURE INTERCHANGE

381 LAFAYETTE STREET
NEW YORK CITY 10003
TEL. 212-228-5283

September 1, 1982

LEO

This is a progress report to date of the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (R.O.C.I. --pronounced "Rocky" like my pet turtle, possibly celebrating the anniversary of our quarter of a century union). The purpose of this report is multiple: First, to inform our advisors and friends; second, to stimulate more concrete input; and third, to witness with events the actuality of the whole project. 

China. June 11-July 14, 1982: After a successful collaboration with the world's oldest paper mill (see insert), we met in Beijing with Lihua and Gu-Yuan of the Artists Association. Next we met with Deputy Minister Zhou Wei-Chi, in charge of cultural interchange. He sets up meetings with "Exhibition Company" (which is controlled by him). An exhibition space is suggested. He inquired as to when I would like to show my work. I said I thought May 2, 1983 would be a good time. He said that would be a good time because the Chinese have a holiday around then. The "Exhibition Company" shows us an extremely fine space. They admitted they honor institutionally sponsored exhibits, but saw no reason they could not do this privately sponsored one-man show (provided it is self-funded). We were told to finalize the