Exhibition: Joseph Beuys – Greetings from the Eurasian
M HKA, Antwerpen
13 October 2017 - 21 January 2018
The exhibition Joseph Beuys – Greetings from the Eurasian will seek simultaneously to consider Beuys’ activities in Antwerp during the 1960s and ‘70s, alongside considering his relevance to a new generation.
Joseph Beuys was active in Antwerp during the 1960s and 1970s through his relationship with Wide White Space gallery, for whom he was a key reference. Amongst his many exhibitions, it is here that he also made his performance Eurasienstab (Eurasian Staff) in collaboration with Henning Christiansen on 9 February 1968. Joseph Beuys – Greetings from the Eurasian will in the first instance look at Beuys as an artist that was not only active in Antwerp (where he met other figures of the Post-War avant-garde such as Marcel Broodthaers and Panamarenko) but was also deeply influential in Belgium more broadly, in a way that has been largely forgotten.
The exhibition will also consider Beuys as a figure who worked in a way that was contrary to the logic and hegemony of Modernism. He was in a sense the embodiment of the anti-Modern. Using his Eurasienstab performance as a starting point, the exhibition will consider how Beuys’ use of the notion of ‘Eurasia’ was part of his Anti-Modern sentiment, looking away from the grand-narrative and hegemony of the “West”, and towards a vision of affinity with the “East”, to the point of even removing such distinctions. It was a vision that was more attuned to cultural depth, mysticism and to nature. This was also echoed in his political engagement, with an approach to politics though a belief in discursivity, latent energy and direct action.
Joseph Beuys – Greetings from the Eurasian will include numerous major works by Beuys, including a number of installations related to key actions, including Eurasienstab (Eurasian Staff) (1968) and Honigpumpe am Arbeitsplatz (Honeypump in the Workplace) (1977) that he activated at Documenta 6 in 1977, as well as key works such as Infiltration homogen für Konzertflügel (Homogeneous Infiltration for Grand Piano) (1966) and Straßenbahnhaltestelle (Tramstop) (1976), amongst many others. The exhibition will also look at the activities of the Antwerp Free International University that was set up by proponents of the Antwerp artistic community during the early 1980s. Joseph Beuys – Greetings from the Eurasian will be the first major exhibition of works by Beuys in Belgium since the 1980s.
The exhibition is curated by Nav Haq, Senior Curator, M HKA
The exhibition will be the first in a series of monographic exhibitions at M HKA looking at key figures of the Post-War avant-garde who were active in Antwerp, locating the city as part of a network of scenes around the dense region of Benelux and the Rheinland. Subsequent exhibitions in 2018 and 2019 will focus on Marcel Broodthaers and James Lee Byars respectively.
WorksShow artists
> Joseph Beuys, Aus dem Leben der Bienen, 1950-1980. Print, lithography; ink on graphic paper, 56 x 76 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Berg in Slowenien, 1951-1954. Drawing, pencil on handmade paper, edges regularly torn, 31.6 x 31.9 cm / 50 x 53 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Schwäne, 1953. Drawing, watercolour; pencil on paper, 25.4 x 37.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Schädel auf Urschlitten, 1954. Drawing, pencil, watercolour, cardboard, 26 x 39.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Nein/Sicher, 1956-1866. Drawing, pencil on paper, 28 x 41 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Grab des Dschingis, 1957. Object, oil paint, tempera, gold bronze, wax on cardboard box, nails, brown-stained wooden board, 36 x 34.5 x 1.2 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Dschingis Khan's Tochter, 1958. Print, offset, paper, 30.5 x 30 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Hirschdenkmäler, 1958-1982. Installation, mixed media, variable dimensions .
> Joseph Beuys, Untitled, 1959. Drawing, pencil, cardboard, 20.5 x 26.6 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Batterien, 1959. Object, pencil and tempera pain on cardboard, laid on butter paper, 65 x 18.2 cm / 70 x 50.6 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Joyce, 1961. Mixed Media, paint on cardboard, wire, 45 x 65 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Verlassener Druidentempel, 1962. Object, oil on plywood, 64.2 x 93.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Demonstration für Lohaus, 1962. Collage, pencil, oil colour, water colour, gold colour on paper, adhesive edges, paper, 22 x 15.4 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Batterie, 1963. Object, oil paint (brown cross) on corrugated cardboard, cord, leather, 27.5 x 11.3 x 6 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Das Schweigen von Marcel Duchamp wird überbewertet, 1964. Mixed Media, two brushes, wood, aluminium foil, paint, 4 x 29.5 x 4 cm, 3 x 27 x 3 cm .
> Joseph Beuys, Mit Filzfettecke, 1965. Object, soap bar, paint, black and white photograph, 10.5 x 14.7 x 1 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Drei teilen des Aktionssockels, 24 Stunden, 1965. Installation, orange box, glass bottle, plastic, adhesive tape, variable dimensions .
> Joseph Beuys, Infiltration homogen für Konzertflügel, 1966. Installation, grand piano, grey felt, cross in red fabric, 100 x 152 x 240 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Zwei Fraulein mit leuchtenden Brot, 1966. Object, cardboard, paper, chocolate with oil colour, 72 x 20 x 1.5 cm.
> op. 39 Fluxorum Organum, 1968. Audio and visual equipment, vinyl lp, documents, 00:12:00.
> Joseph Beuys, Eurasienstab, 1968. Video, video, 00:21:16.
> Joseph Beuys, Eurasienstab, 1968. Poster, ink on paper, 15 x 15 x 25 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Intuition, 1968. Object, wooden box, pencil (signed), 30 x 20 x 6 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Eurasienstab, 1968-1969. Sculpture, wood, copper, 410 x 180 x 130 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Evervess II, 1968. Multiple, wooden box, glass bottles, 27 x 16.5 x 9.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Erdtelephon (Earth Telephone), 1968. Mixed Media, telephone, cords, clump of earth with grass on wooden board, 20 x 79 x 57 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Schlitten, 1969. Object, wooden sled, felt, belts, flashlight, fat and rope, 36 x 91 x 34 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Ich Versuche dich freizulassen-machen, 1969-1970. Object, tape recorder, 21 x 16.8 x 6 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Eine Partei für Tiere, 1969. Mixed Media, offset; stamped with handwritten text, 67 x 37 x 3.7 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Transsibirische Bahn, 1970. Video, music video, 00:22:00.
> Parteien Wahlverweigerung, 1970. Poster, ink, paper, 70 x 50 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Mit Schwefel überzogene Zinkkiste (tamponierte Ecke), 1970. Multiple, a: zinc plate, sulphur, gauze, stamped; b: unprocessed zinkkiste, stamped, 2 x (64 x 31 x 18 cm).
> Joseph Beuys, Transsibirische Bahn, 1970. Poster, ink, paper, 80 x 58 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Filzanzug, 1970. Installation, felt suit, wood hanger, 170 x 60 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja, Nee, Nee, Nee, Nee, 1970. Multiple, felt, tape recording, 15 x 15 x 25 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Eurasienstab über den Alpen, 1971. Miscellaneum, ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Schautafeln für den Unterricht I und II, 1971. Print, offset on cardboard, zinc, sulphur, 2 x (83 x 104 cm).
> Joseph Beuys, So kann die Parteiendiktatur überwinden werden, 1971. Object, felt, plastic, printed plastic bag, 76 x 51.5 x 9.2 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Voglie vedere i miei montagne, 1971. Installation, copper, felt, black-and-white picture, various objects, 460 x 585 x 788 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, A comparison of two types of society, 1972. Poster, folded poster.
> Joseph Beuys, Rückenstütze eines feingliederigen Menschen (Hasentypus) aus dem 20. Jh. p. Chr., 1972. Multiple, iron, 15 x 96 x 43 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Silberbesen und Besen ohne Haare, 1972. Multiple, horsehair, wood, silver, copper, felt, 139 x 51 cm, 130 x 51 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Uberwindet endlich die Parteiendiktatur (Rettet den Wald), 1972. Print, serigraphy; ink on paper, 49.4 x 50 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Schottische Symphonie / Requiem for Art, 1973. Audio and visual equipment, vinyl lp, 00:12:00, 31.3 x 31.3 cm (cover).
> Joseph Beuys, Demokratie ist lustig, 1973. Other, ink, paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Print from the action Eurasienstab, 1973. Print, serigraphy; paint, paper, 79.4 x 53 cm / 90 x 63 cm (framed).
> Joseph Beuys, Rose für Direkte Demokratie, 1973. Multiple, graduated glass cylinder, with inscription, 33.5 x ø 5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Das halbe Filzkreuz über Köln, 1974. Miscellaneum, postcards; ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Zwei Fluxus-Objecte, 1974. Object, two tin cans, brown paint, string, paper flag, green gerabte violin, audio tape, vynil notebook, variable dimensions.
> Joseph Beuys, Honigpumpe am Arbeitsplatz, 1974-1977. Installation, electric motors, painted and unpainted metal, plastic tubes, glass, electronics and honey, variable dimensions .
> Joseph Beuys, Une comparaison entre deux structures sociales, 1975. Object, plastic bag, documents, 41 x 29 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Fond IV/4, 1975. Object, copper plate, 4 black and white photographs, 48.5 x 68 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Boter en bijenwas Grondstofmateriaal 4/bis, 1975-1986. Installation, mixed media, 190 x 153.5 x 73.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Aus Rheinische Bienenzeitung, 1975. Multiple, offset; ink on cardboard, 23.5 x 33 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Mirror Piece, 1975. Object, glass bottle, cardboard box, 19.5 x Ø 10.5 cm, 23 x Ø 14.7 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Bruno Corà-Tee, 1975. Object, coca-cola glass bottle, 28.5 x ø 5.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Magnetischer Abfall, 1975. Sculpture, steel, razor blade, 10.5 x 14.7 x 1 cm.
> Joseph Beuys for the cover of Wirtschaftswoche (Business Week) issue 43/76, 1976. Periodical, ink on paper, 595 x 421 mm.
> Joseph Beuys, Een vergelijking tussen twee maatschappelijke strukturen, 1976. Other, print on plastic bag and documents, 40 x 33 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, 1 Wirtschaftswert (Sichel), 1976-1984. Object, sickel, 21 x 36.5 x 2.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, 1 Wirtschaftswert (Hammer), 1976-1984. Object, hammer, 2.7 x 32 x 11.2 cm.
> Honigpumpe am Arbeitsplatz, 1977. Leaflet, ink, paper.
> "Joseph Beuys - Honingpumpe am Arbeitsplatz, Documenta 6, 1977 Kassel", 1977. Poster, ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Aufruf zur Alternative, 1978. Leaflet, poster, signed, fui stamp, ink on paper.
> Andy Warhol, Andy Warhol. Für die Grünen, 1978. Poster, offset print; ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Von Gloeden Postcards, 1978. Miscellaneum, postcards; ink on paper, 9 x (9 x 14 cm).
> Joseph Beuys, Discussione con Beuys, 1978, 1978. Poster, ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Action Third Way, 1978. Mixed Media, chalk, blackboard, walking stick, 3 x (132 x 132 cm).
> Joseph Beuys, Kunst = Kapital, 1979-1984. Assemblage, object with fire extinguisher, 116 x 74 x 25 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol. Für die Grünen, 1979. Print, offset; ink on paper, 108 x 78.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Gib mir Honig, 1979. Sculpture, mixed media, 10 x 9 x 9 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Aufruf zur Alternative / A3W FIU, 1980. Other, ink, paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Joseph Beuys Postkarten, 1980. Miscellaneum, postcards; ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Zelt und Lichstrahl, 1980. Print, aquatint lithography;ink on paper, 20.5 x 14.5 cm / 32 x 24.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Grond, 1980-1981. Installation, copper, wood, iron, 4 x (220 x 160 x 220 cm).
> Joseph Beuys, Polentransport, 1981. Installation, wood, wrapping paper, 48.4 x 157.4 x 108.4 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Sonne statt Reagan, 1982. Video, music video, 00:03:03.
> Joseph Beuys, Kunst = Kapital, 1982. Poster, ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Element, 1982. Installation, iron, copper, 2 x (44 x 31.5 x 1 cm).
> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet Meets Prof. Joseph Beuys in Bonn, 27 October 1982, 1983. Photography, ink, paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Die Haut, 1984. Installation, felt cover of "infiltration homogen für konzertflügel"; a cross of red cloth, felt, tissue, 100 x 152 x 240 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Capri-Batterie, 1985. Installation, objet trouve, lemon, light bulb, plug socket, 11 x 8 cm.
> Members of FIU Japan visiting Club Moral, 1986. Photography, ink, paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Joseph Beuys 'Eurasienstab', 1987. Book, ink on paper, 30.3 x 21.4 cm, 92 p, language : German, French, Dutch, publisher : Galerie Anny De Decker, Antwerpen, ISBN : 90-6848-004-9.
> Joseph Beuys, Joseph Beuys - Groeten van de Euraziaat, 2017. Book, ink, paper, 28.6 x 20 cm, 47 p., language : Dutch, publisher : Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen/Koenig Books London, ISBN : 978-3-96098-265-4.
> Joseph Beuys, Joseph Beuys - Greetings from the Eurasian, 2017. Book, ink, paper, 28.6 x 20 cm, 141 p., language : English, publisher : Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen/Koenig Books London, ISBN : 978-3-96098-264-7.
> Joseph Beuys, Marcel Broodthaers, James Lee Byars, Beuys 2017 - Broodthaers 2018 - Byars 2019 in Antwerpen (Over drie komende tentoonstellingen in M HKA - Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen, 2017. Book, ink, paper, 28.7 x 20.1 cm, 27 p., language : English, publisher : M HKA Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst, Antwerpen, ISBN : 978-907-282-8569.
> Luc Deleu, Proposition for a worldwide windmill network. Miscellaneum, postcard; ink, paper.
> Luc Deleu, Museum of Broken Art. Miscellaneum, postcard; ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Untitled. Drawing, pencil, paper, 20.9 x 14.5 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Portrait. Print, ink on paper, 10 x 15 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Free International University. Durch Menschen .... Poster, ink on paper.
> Joseph Beuys, Bei dieser Wahl: die Grünen. Poster, ink, paper, 4 x (88 x 63 cm.
> Joseph Beuys, Cosmas und Damian. Assemblage, photo, cardboard, 4 x (44.5 x 34.7 cm) / 4 x (73 x 60.5 x 33 cm) (framed).
> Joseph Beuys, Eurasienstab, 82 min fluxorum organum. Film, 00:21:49.