Starting From Language: Joseph Beuys at 100

Joseph Beuys believed that language was a flexible material through which individuals could physically, intellectually, and communicatively participate in the process of re-ordering society. He explored language from silence to hours of debate, from animal sounds to precise discussions of concepts, and his work is divided into the themes of "silence," "sounds," "concepts," "writing," "mystery," "legends," and "speech." The exhibition and catalog assemble sculptures, drawings, installations, films, posters, and documents from the Nationalgalerie, the Sammlung Marx, the Kupferstichkabinett, and the Art Library of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Joseph Beuys, a renowned artist, emphasized the pivotal role of language in his artistic practice during a series of lectures titled "Lectures on One's Own Country: Germany" delivered at the Munich Kammerspiele in 1985. He viewed language as an adaptable medium, on par with visual art, enabling individuals to actively engage in the reorganization of society through physical, intellectual, and communicative means. Beuys' linguistic exploration spanned from moments of silence to extended discussions, encompassing a wide range of sounds, from animalistic expressions to precise explorations of concepts and enigmatic writings. Consequently, the chapters of the book are organized under the themes of "silence," "sounds," "concepts," "writing," "mystery," "legends," and "speech." To complement the lectures, both the exhibition and the accompanying catalogue feature a comprehensive collection of sculptures, drawings, installations, films, posters, and documents sourced from the Nationalgalerie, the Sammlung Marx, the Kupferstichkabinett, and the Art Library of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. These diverse artistic pieces serve as visual representations of Beuys' profound exploration of language and its potential to shape society.

Joseph Beuys, a renowned artist, emphasized the pivotal role of language in his artistic practice during a series of lectures titled "Lectures on One's Own Country: Germany" delivered at the Munich Kammerspiele in 1985. He viewed language as an adaptable medium, on par with visual art, enabling individuals to actively engage in the reorganization of society through physical, intellectual, and communicative means. Beuys' linguistic exploration spanned from moments of silence to extended discussions, encompassing a wide range of sounds, from animalistic expressions to precise explorations of concepts and enigmatic writings. Consequently, the chapters of the book are organized under the themes of "silence," "sounds," "concepts," "writing," "mystery," "legends," and "speech." To complement the lectures, both the exhibition and the accompanying catalogue feature a comprehensive collection of sculptures, drawings, installations, films, posters, and documents sourced from the Nationalgalerie, the Sammlung Marx, the Kupferstichkabinett, and the Art Library of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. These diverse artistic pieces serve as visual representations of Beuys' profound exploration of language and its potential to shape society.

Weight: 924g
Dimension: 210 x 271 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775750387