„Freiheit. Die Kunst der Novembergruppe 1918–1930“
„Freiheit. Die Kunst der Novembergruppe 1918–1930“
Berlinischen Galerie 9. XI 2018 - 11. III 2019.
In November of 1918 Germany was in turmoil. The Emperor abdicated, the food was scarce, the political system collapsed and the revolution started. In the midst of these events a group of artists formed the November Group. Their goal was to shape the new values, new people and the new state through their art. In the coming years they organised almost forty exhibitions, and, especially in their early years, have strongly influenced the contemporary art scene. Whether due to the enormous success of tv show Babylon Berlin or some other cause, the Weimar Germany and its culture have aroused many examinations and discussions during the last two years. Just some time ago I saw the “Magic Realism: The Art of Weimar Germany”, a rather mediocre exhibition in Tate Modern.
The exhibition „Freiheit. Die Kunst der Novembergruppe 1918–1930“ brings for the first time the work of the group as a whole. To cut the story short - it is marvellous.
The second big common thread is the future. The artists associated with the group produced many architectural solutions that look modern even in 2018.
Berlinischen Galerie 9. XI 2018 - 11. III 2019.
In November of 1918 Germany was in turmoil. The Emperor abdicated, the food was scarce, the political system collapsed and the revolution started. In the midst of these events a group of artists formed the November Group. Their goal was to shape the new values, new people and the new state through their art. In the coming years they organised almost forty exhibitions, and, especially in their early years, have strongly influenced the contemporary art scene. Whether due to the enormous success of tv show Babylon Berlin or some other cause, the Weimar Germany and its culture have aroused many examinations and discussions during the last two years. Just some time ago I saw the “Magic Realism: The Art of Weimar Germany”, a rather mediocre exhibition in Tate Modern.
The exhibition „Freiheit. Die Kunst der Novembergruppe 1918–1930“ brings for the first time the work of the group as a whole. To cut the story short - it is marvellous.
Arthur Segal "Helgoland" - note how Segal painted the frame to "widen" the canvas
Ridicule of the establishment is a common theme.
Walter Kappman "Der Feldherr"
Hanna Höch "Die Journalisten"
Georg Grosz "Stützen der Gesellschaft" - a detail.
The second big common thread is the future. The artists associated with the group produced many architectural solutions that look modern even in 2018.
Otto Bartning "Die Sternkirche"
The skyscraper from 1922 - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "Model Glashochhaus"
The hierarchy viewed from the bottom is especially poignant on the drawings.
Georg Scholz "Zeitungsträger"
Otto Freundlich "Die Zeichen" - a series of six drawings
It is difficult to describe the style of the group without using the word syncretism. There is practically everything in their works, a bit of dada, all the shades of expressionistic red, cubistic rectangles & rhombi, symbolistic over-emphasis of overemphasised... Just like other Weimar art there are some deranged faces - soulless people in their quotidian gist.
Georg Scholz "Industriebauern" - note the bible, the portrait and the bust, symbols of law and order, which appear almost as an accomplices in this ghastly scene.
Already in 1921 the group was ripe with debates, since many of its members required further movements towards the left of the political spectrum. This included the most notable members - Dix, Grosz, Scholz etc. Although, truth to be told, the communist artist did not want to partake, since they considered the group to be bourgeoisie.
The photo from the first exhibition, Berlin 1919.
This is, without a doubt, one the best exhibitions I saw in the 2018.
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