Book Description

An in-depth look at the fascinating sculptural works of one of the twentieth century’s most innovative artists

Joseph Beuys (1921–1986)—a German sculptorand performance artist—became one of the most influential figures in modern and contemporary art. His charismatic presence, extraordinary life, and unconventional artistic style (incorporating ritualized movement and sound, and materials such as fat, felt, earth, honey, blood, and even dead animals) gained him international notoriety during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Beuys’s innovative influence is particularly felt in the field of sculpture, whose definition he expanded to encompass performance art, vitrine cases, and site-specific environments.

This beautifully illustrated book investigates Beuys’s sculpture, arguably the most fundamental portion of his artistic work, as well as his extraordinary influence. Featured objects include a stunning selection of Beuys’s remarkable vitrines—sly cousins of standard museum presentations, featuring both hand-made and found objects serving as “exhibitions” on Beuys’s own topics; blackboards on which he recorded his lectures and performances; room-sized environments; and many other sculptural projects that frequently served as physical documentation for Beuys’s performances.

With a comprehensive chronology of Beuys’s activities as an artist and activist, this book is essential for those interested in the life, work, and legacy of one of the art world’s most intriguing figures.

Joseph Beuys: Actions, Vitrines, Environments accompanies a major exhibition on view at The Menil Collection, Houston (October 8, 2004, to January 2, 2005) and the Tate Modern, London (February 2 to May 3, 2005).

Mark Rosenthal is adjunct curator at The Menil Collection; Sean Rainbird is curator at the Tate Modern; and Claudia Schmuckli, formerly assistant curator at the Museum of Modern Art, is an independent critic of contemporary art.




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Amazon.com

Joseph Beuys (1921-1986), who reached cult status in his native Germany, was perhaps the most important artist to emerge in Europe after WW II; he was certainly the most influential thinker and teacher among artists of the postwar generation. His doctrine was that "every man is an artist," and his more radical aims included a restructuring of the economy and free access to all educational institutions. Beuys considered art a medium for social and political change, and the prosaic materials he employed--felt, animal fat, and wax were among his favorites--had a spiritual dimension and could be invested by the artist with healing power. His iconic "felt suit," for instance, expresses the idea of physical warmth. Arranged chronologically and spanning four decades, this is the only book that provides a definitive survey of this innovative artist's work in every medium--from drawings, sculptures, and printed works to objects, environments, and actions. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Confessio
I like Beuys. There I said it so sue me

Essentialy Essential Beuys
This book is a great introduction and overview of Beuys difficult and varied work. It contains many photos, which are enormously important to gain understanding of an artist whose work is frequently ephemeral and time based. There are also essays which touch on the myths surrounding Beuys, both of his own making and subsequent to his death. The relationship between this creating of a personal mythology and the materials he uses becomes evident. ... Read more

Book Description

Joseph Beuys in America: Energy Plan for the Western ManBy Joseph Beuys.Edited by Carin Kuoni. "A tasty collection of hitherto uncollected/unpublished writings by and about the legendary German artist." -FlashArtillustratedISBN: 1-56858-007-X ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent collection of original documents on Beuys
Joseph Beuys is a mythical figure in the art world; however, this books shows the real intetions of his art work and social sculpture. An excellent resource, a must read for anyone interested in challenging the fabric of society. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Get this if you are at all interested in Joseph Beuys
If you know anything abouy Beuys, this book will be so interesting to you! As the title says, these are his early drawings, they are great to see in comparison to his later sculture etc. It's is mostly a collection of works, but the tiny book also has information about the artist and by the artist! This is a great reference material on Beuys, and it's pretty inexpensive! ... Read more

Book Description

The book highlights a selection of the important avant-garde artist’s posters and includes a catalog of his entire oeuvre in the field.

Arguably the most important German artist to emerge in Europe after WW II, Joseph Beuys was certainly the most influential thinker and teacher among artists of his generation. His dictum, "Everyone is an artist" belied a singular talent for merging media and ideas. Beuys’ earliest posters were intended to announce exhibitions of his own work, while his later ones expressed his political convictions, such as those for Germany’s Green Party, of which he was a founder. No other segment of Beuys’ oeuvre expresses his heartfelt beliefs as incisively as do these works, which embody a school of graphic design that was wholly his own. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great book for all, academic and passing interest
This is an excellent book out of the 12 I've consulted for my final year dissertation, when I ordered if from Amazon I was torn between this one and the Adriana "felt hat: A life told" but the costumer reviews put me off. Having read Adrianas "JB the art of cooking" from the library, buying this book from editor Gene Ray was certainly the best way to go. The book is similar to, but more accessible than, the Critique of Beuys from the tate series. It contains however, the vital "Twilight of the Idols" by benjamin Buchloh which, if nothing else reveals some of the misconceptions and horrors that beuys provoked...but it offers another article by Buchloh, written 20 years later that acts almost as a retraction. the presentation and the much needed balance of argument makes this book an absolute must for anyone, from any level of understanding to purchase. A great, essential read on Joseph Beuys. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Healing the Western Mind
The artworks and political ideas of German artist Joseph Beuys are deeply discussed into this interesting book. In the 1960's, Joseph Beuys was an underground name in the American artworld, but his reputation preceeded him.  Beuys had controversial feelings towards the US. His first art project in the United States, the action I Like America and America Likes Me, took place at Block's gallery in 1974. For this performance, Beuys traveled to Manhattan wrapped in felt, and then spent a week with a coyote, engaging it in a number of ritualistic encounters. For the 1987-88 exhibition at Dia Center for the Arts (New York), Lynne Cooke wrote... "as he consolidated a philosophy aimed at a revolution in both mind and body through an art devised to effect social and political transformation, he increasingly engaged in public pedagogy, language itself becoming for him an aesthetic medium. " ... Read more

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Etc. Montreal, published by Revue d'Art Contemporain Etc. Inc. on September 1, 1999. The length of the article is 2054 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Berlin: l'oeuvre d'art a l'ere de sa reproductibilite technique (exposition).
Author: Maite Vissault
Publication: Etc. Montreal (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 1999
Publisher: Revue d'Art Contemporain Etc. Inc.
Issue: 47Page: 64-9

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