Anselm Kiefer

The Kunsthalle Mannheim is showing works by one of the most important contemporary German artists: Anselm Kiefer. In his work, Kiefer focuses on existential questions. Politics, religion, mysticism, alchemy and cosmology are the thematic complexes he deals with in his sculptures and paintings. Anselm Kiefer achieved great fame by tackling the taboos of post-war Germany head-on and depicting in his art the emotional turmoil of cultural identity versus entanglement in historical guilt. Since moving to France in 1993, he has increasingly devoted himself to the connection between Jewish and Christian religion, the myths and mystical teachings of world cultures, and the media of memory culture.

HEAVY MATERIALS
Anselm Kiefer's works are overwhelming not only by their sheer size, but also by their haptic materiality - the artist's favourite materials are ash and lead. Anselm Kiefer also exposes his sculptures and paintings, which are created in elaborate working processes, to the elements, such as wind, water and fire or even electrolysis, so that the patina of nature becomes visible on the surfaces of the works.

THREE WORK PHASES
The exhibition focuses on three important work phases: From early works such as "Große Fracht" (1981/1996) with applied lead objects, to the multi-part installation "Palmsonntag" (2007) with a palm tree at its centre, to the expansive sculpture "Der verlorene Buchstabe" (2011- 2017), large-scale, multi-dimensional paintings and sculptures are shown. Complementing the special exhibition in the expansive ground floor galleries, Cube 6 is restaged on the second floor. All works shown in the exhibition come from the collection of Hans Grothe, who died in May 2019.

Curator: Dr. Sebastian Baden // Curatorial assistance: Antonella B. Meloni, M.A.