Poisoned Abstraction: Kurt Schwitters between Revolution and Exile

A new book explores Kurt Schwitters' (1887–1948) multifaceted artistic practice, revealing a new Schwitters aesthetically committed and politically astute. It examines the complex entwinement of art, politics, and history in the modern period, offering fresh insights and new revelations on one of the most influential interwar artists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

This meticulously researched and extensively illustrated book provides a fresh and insightful examination of the artistic legacy of Kurt Schwitters (1887–1948), a pivotal figure in the European avant-garde during the interwar period. Schwitters, a versatile artist who excelled in various disciplines such as painting, sculpture, collage, design, publishing, performance, criticism, poetry, and playwriting, is renowned for his intimate-scale, materially rich collages and assemblages constructed from found objects, often considered waste or discarded materials. However, as Graham Bader delves into Schwitters' work, he challenges the notion of a clear distinction between art and life, highlighting the artist's concept of "poisoned abstraction."

Bader's analysis spans Schwitters' early collage-based pieces from 1918–1920, his influential advertising designs of the 1920s, and his groundbreaking environmental installation, the Merzbau. Through meticulous exploration, he unravels the profound meanings behind these projects and sheds new light on the turbulent historical context in which they were created. In doing so, he presents a new perspective on Schwitters, revealing him as an artist who was aesthetically committed and politically astute, resonant in our contemporary world.

This authoritative account not only reevaluates Schwitters' multifaceted artistic practice but also delves into the intricate interplay between art, politics, and history in the modern era. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the artist's contributions to the avant-garde movement and his enduring influence on subsequent generations of artists. By providing a wealth of visual evidence and analytical insights, this book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, art enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of artistic expression and its relationship to societal context.

Weight: 1388g
Dimension: 250 x 287 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300257083