Henning Christiansen, Bjorn Norgaard-MANRESA HAUPTBANHOF - An Homage to Joseph Beuys

This book contextualizes a performance by Christiansen and Nørgaard in homage to Joseph Beuys. It includes images, scripts, and preparatory drawings, as well as critical texts that explore the spiritual meaning and symbolism of the objects employed. The two performances represented a meeting place for different artistic personalities working on the cutting edge of creating a new form of art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Editorial Tenov S.L.

Joseph Beuys performed one of his most radical pieces, the action Manresa, on December 15, 1966, at the Galerie Schmela in Düsseldorf. He was accompanied by the Danish artists Henning Christiansen and Bjørn Nørgaard, who, in 1994, created Manresa Hauptbahnhof (Manresa, Central Station), a new performance in homage to the original. The performance was carried out in Manresa, the city that both gave the name to the original action and was where Saint Ignatius Loyola had the revelations that led him to write his Spiritual Exercises, which Beuys considered essential reading.

This book brings together all the material related to the 1994 performance—including images, scripts, and preparatory drawings—as well as a selection of critical texts that situate the action within its European context. In one essay, Friedhelm Mennekes analyses the action by delving into its spiritual meaning, exploring the symbolism of the objects employed. In another, Pilar Parcerias uses the metaphor of the central station to discover the city of reference and redraw the map of Europe with unexpected connections between Manresa and Copenhagen. In the final essay, Peter van der Meijden contextualizes the two performances, which represented a meeting place for different artistic personalities working on the cutting edge in creating a new form of art.

The action Manresa was a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explored the themes of spirituality, art, and society. It was a testament to the enduring legacy of Joseph Beuys and his commitment to using art to make a positive impact on the world. The book Manresa Hauptbahnhof is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this iconic performance and the artists who created it.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788494423499