Product Description

This monograph uses a thematic and chronologial approach to explore the many facets of Anselm Kiefer's work. By examining his influences, style and recurring motifs, Daniel Arasse highlights Kiefer's rich culture and his philosophical and artistic practice, while demonstrating the unity and continuity in his work that transcends any linear concept of time. Arasse takes as his starting point the 1980 Venice Biennale, a key moment in the artist's career, as it marked the birth of both his international reputation and the controversy over the "Germanness" of his work. Through the six main chapters, the author delves into the central themes of Kiefer's paintings and their evolution. Nordic and Germanic mythologies, Jewish mysticism, the cosmos, the legends of the ancient world, links between heaven and earth, men and the gods, transmutation, the role of the human body - all of these lie at the heart of Kiefer's thought. Interspersed with the main discussion are five sub-chapters that shed a new light on the fabric and subject of Kiefer's art by examining his favourite motifs and the ways that they have mutated through time and thematic shifts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #359315 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-29
• Original language: French
• Binding: Hardcover
• 328 pages

Synopsis
This monograph uses a thematic and chronologial approach to explore the many facets of Anselm Kiefer's work. By examining his influences, style and recurring motifs, Daniel Arasse highlights Kiefer's rich culture and his philosophical and artistic practice, while demonstrating the unity and continuity in his work that transcends any linear concept of time. Arasse takes as his starting point the 1980 Venice Biennale, a key moment in the artist's career, as it marked the birth of both his international reputation and the controversy over the "Germanness" of his work. Through the six main chapters, the author delves into the central themes of Kiefer's paintings and their evolution. Nordic and Germanic mythologies, Jewish mysticism, the cosmos, the legends of the ancient world, links between heaven and earth, men and the gods, transmutation, the role of the human body - all of these lie at the heart of Kiefer's thought. Interspersed with the main discussion are five sub-chapters that shed a new light on the fabric and subject of Kiefer's art by examining his favourite motifs and the ways that they have mutated through time and thematic shifts.

About the Author
Daniel Arasse is currently Director of Studies at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Science Sociales. Among his many previous publications is Vermeer: Faith in Painting.

Customer Reviews

The pictures do the talking
This is a beautiful book which covers some of Kiefer's best work in painting as well as his photo-montage and book making activities. A small and eloquent tribute and forward leave adequate room for many full color reproductions (some double-paged) of paintings, large black and white photos taken by the artist, photos of installations and performances and reproductions of selections from his book makings. The reproductions are bright and clear and attempt to give you an adequate view of the texture and matter that Kiefer paints with. Kiefer is one of the most prodigious and poetic artists of our time. He stands out individually in our present, sometimes cynical art atmosphere in the age of post-modern theory. These are magical paintings that contain deep myth and meaning. A truly beautiful book on beautiful and revealing art that can change your view of the world.