Comments on: Beuys will be Beuys even in Bexhill

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:33:51 +0000

I wouldn't worry Colette, there is plenty of time for your work to reflect anything that inspired you in Beuys.

By: Collette

Collette — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:44:46 +0000

Oh, I didn't know he studied under Beuys, that's interesting. I have more of an interest in the materials and textures he uses rather than the meanings behind the pieces, terrible as that may sound. As you say his work is rather depressing, due to the post war theme that most of his works fall under. I did a comparative personal study between Kiefer and Rauschenberg for fine art last year, made for an interesting analysis. I regret not looking more into Beuys when I was studying art as I think his work would have been quite influential to my final pieces.

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:57:26 +0000

Anselm Kiefer was one of Beuys' students so I guess that is why he uses corruptible materials in his work too. Though of course everything is corruptible even the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

He shares Beuys' interest in Shamanism and mysticism too but he is, I think, a lot more depressing.

Maybe that is cos he is a post Nazi child. There is a lot of stuff in his work about the Holocaust.

By: Collette

Collette — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:53:52 +0000

I'm never entirely sure how I feel about Beuys' work. I suppose that's part of the beauty of it – making you feel uncomfortable, as you said. I prefer his German contemporary Anselm Kiefer for most things, however. I believe they did work together for some things though.