Focus on art: GDR exhibition shows forgotten masterpiece in Berlin
Focus on art: GDR exhibition shows forgotten masterpiece in Berlin
Potsdam, Deutschland - The GDR art scene is currently being extensively recognized in the “Terring Test” exhibition in the new National Gallery in Berlin. Among the exhibiting artists is also Wolfgang Mattheuer, whose work "The Excellent" was first shown in 1974 in the Albertinum in Dresden. This picture, which a woman with a hanging shoulder and a groomed view of tulip stems, offers a contrasting perspective on the image of "activists of work" propagated by the mass media, such as Uni-potsdam.de reported.
In the 1980s, the picture in class for art education at GDR schools was discussed, with important topics such as the role of working woman and the associated double and triple loads were dealt with. After reunification, however, the painting only found space in depots and archives. The current exhibition brings it back into the light of the public, which reveals the artistic and social issues of that time.
The role of GDR art
The curatorial voice behind the exhibition, Melanie Franke, professor of art sciences, describes the presentation as an experimental and brave. She emphasizes that GDR art has made a significant contribution to art development. Likewise, Joachim Jäger, Vice Director of the New National Gallery, emphasizes the seriousness of the questions that were raised in the art, theater and literature of the GDR.
The other artistic positions represented in the exhibition are Uwe Pfeiffer, Harald Metzkes, Angela Hampel and Strawalde. Cornelia deserves a special mention, whose performative work deals with the confinement of surveillance. Gabriele Stötzer and Tina Bara are examples of artists who used alternative art spaces for self -empowerment.
Another work that is discussed in the exhibition is that of Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt, which in 1990 carried out the GDR's last mail art campaign to protest against the abolition of the state. Elske Rosenfeld examines the devaluation of the revolutionary desire in East Germany and highlights the relevance of the displacements in the region.
The exhibition "GDR: factual"
parallel to the exhibition in the new National Gallery, the Blmk An extensive show under the title "DDR: factual". In this exhibition, around 80 pictures and sculptures by 46 artists are shown, including Wolfgang Mattheuer. The factual view of the works leads to a pause in everyday life and offers an individual representation. The artists show, inspired by international currents of the new figuration, a critical relationship to reality that deviates from socialist realism and abstract art styles in the West.
Overall, the persistent examination of the GDR art reflects the social and personal circumstances of time and promotes a deep understanding of the complex narrative, which are conveyed by the work of artists such as Mattheuer and others.
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| Ort | Potsdam, Deutschland |
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