A portfolio from the holdings of the Beeskow Art Archive

Exhibition from march 25th - july 3rd 2019

In 1988, the Association of Visual Artists of the GDR commissioned a graphic portfolio to be published on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. Why, one might ask, is the historical event chosen that is so ambivalent and carries with it a complex history of interpretation? The editors of the graphic folder had one specific aspect in mind: In the enclosed text, art historian Peter Pachnicke emphasizes the " sensuous power of persuasion " of the people who wrestled for recognition on the streets of Paris. However, this pathos conjured up there cannot be seen in the prints of the 16 artists, each of whom contributed one sheet.

In 1989, "Graphic to songs of the French Revolution" was published with the supplement of a record with a total of 21 songs sung by Dieter Süverkrüp, whose texts date from the time of the French Revolution. And even if the graphics with their titles refer to those battle and love songs, these rarely reflect the atmosphere of the pictures. Here, no people is revolting. In gloomy visions the artists show in lithographs, etchings, aquatints and a silkscreen, doubting figures, masses that are once again oppressed by a king and the grimaces of dubious "heirs" who move forward threateningly. Black dominates many of the compositions, be they delicate, fragile arrangements or figures formed with thick strokes. Even the coloured leaves in this compendium are gripped by this drastic quality. The tension-filled contrast between the interpretation of the clients and the interpretations and implementations of the artists also opens a glimpse of the now historical moment of 1989.

With works by Ulrich Hachulla, Karl-Georg Hirsch, Joachim Jansong, Joachim John, Rolf Kuhrt, Werner Liebmann, Gerd Mackensen, Reinhard Minkewitz, Rolf Münzner, Ronald Paris, Volker Pfüller, Otto Sander, Stefan Thomas Wagner, Frank Wahle, Trak Wendisch and Winfried Wolk.

Entrance is free.

Opening: march 24th 2019 // 2 PM

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