Museum Exhibitions
Anselm Kiefer Essence-Eksistence
4 June 2022—8 January 2023
Artipelag, Gustavsberg, Sweden
This summer, Artipelag is celebrating its tenth anniversary by presenting its largest venture to date. On Saturday 4 June the exhibition Essence-Eksistence featuring the work of German artist Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945) opened. Although Kiefer is one of the world’s greatest living artists, his work has never been exhibited in Sweden on a larger scale.
The exhibition, curated by Walter Smerling, focuses on the development of Kiefer’s oeuvre encompassing paintings, sculptures, and installations. Intimately linked to German history, his works touch upon the nation’s identity from the Romantic era to WWII, when it was in post-war ruins. Kiefer’s artistry alludes to philosophy, literature, religion, and scientific theories that coalesce into a complex contemporary world view. His art is not confined within a single area but has a vast range of both subject and material and a practice that encompasses destruction and re-creation. It frequently references other cultural creators, such as poets Paul Celan and Ingeborg Bachmann.
The exhibition, curated by Walter Smerling, focuses on the development of Kiefer’s oeuvre encompassing paintings, sculptures, and installations. Intimately linked to German history, his works touch upon the nation’s identity from the Romantic era to WWII, when it was in post-war ruins. Kiefer’s artistry alludes to philosophy, literature, religion, and scientific theories that coalesce into a complex contemporary world view. His art is not confined within a single area but has a vast range of both subject and material and a practice that encompasses destruction and re-creation. It frequently references other cultural creators, such as poets Paul Celan and Ingeborg Bachmann.
Essence-Eksistence runs until 8 January 2023 in Artipelag’s exhibition hall and Artbox, and comprises some fifty works.
