Bobby Anspach’s Vision Lives On: Can Immersive Art Really Save the World?

Bobby Anspach Credit Ethan Bond Watts | ArtNet

Can art change the world? For the late American artist Bobby Anspach, the answer was always yes—despite his doubts. His first institutional solo exhibition, “Everything is Change”, now showing at the Newport Art Museum in Rhode Island, is a moving tribute to an artist whose work sought to awaken global empathy through immersive, deeply personal experiences.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, and educated at RISD, Anspach created interactive installations made of LED-lit tents, pom-poms, medical beds, and mirrors—his most iconic series being “Place for Continuous Eye Contact.” These artworks invited viewers to slow down, reflect, and truly see one another, challenging them to consider their role in both human connection and planetary survival.

At the core of Anspach’s work was a spiritual drive fueled by meditation, climate anxiety, and a belief in art’s potential to transform minds. His creations weren’t meant just to be seen—they were meant to be felt, inhabited, and remembered.

Curated by RISD professor Taylor Baldwin, the exhibit is a sensory and emotional journey. It includes early paintings, large-scale glitter works, and a pair of signature immersive sculptures designed for one-on-one or individual reflection. A restorative space by designer Lauren Rottet allows visitors to unwind and internalize what they’ve just experienced.

Even in death, Bobby Anspach’s work speaks volumes—urging us to open our eyes, connect, and never stop believing that art, in the right hands and with the right heart, might just change the world.

🗓 “Bobby Anspach: Everything is Change” runs until September 28, 2025, at the Newport Art Museum.

Sources: Art Net, Bobby Anspach Studio