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Starting From Language

Joseph Beuys at 100
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Starting From Language explores Joseph Beuys' conception of language as a dynamic medium equivalent to visual art. Derived from his 1985 lectures in Munich, the work reveals how language—from silence and sounds to writing and myths—serves as a participatory tool to reshape society. The book combines sculptures, drawings, installations, films, posters, and archival documents from prominent Berlin collections, complemented by insightful essays from multiple authors.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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This book appeals to readers interested in contemporary art, linguistics, and cultural theory, particularly those seeking to understand Joseph Beuys' innovative approach to language as an artistic and social instrument.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In a 1985 series of Lectures on one's own country: Germany, given at the Munich Kammerspiele, Joseph Beuys said that he developed his work "from language." He regarded language as equal to visual art— a flexible material through which every individual could physically, intellectually, and communicatively participate in the process of re-ordering society.

His exploration of language ranges from silence to hours of debate, from animal sounds to precise discussions of concepts and puzzling writings. Accordingly, the chapters are divided into the themes of "silence," "sounds," "concepts," "writing," "mystery," "legends," and "speech."

Both the exhibition and catalogue assemble sculptures, drawings, installations, films, posters, and documents from the Nationalgalerie, the Sammlung Marx, the Kupferstichkabinett, and the Art Library of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Texts by: Claudia Ehgartner, Barbara Gronau, Kolja Kohlhoff, Maja Naef, Stefan Ripplinger, Nina Schallenberg, Holger Schulze, Tobias Vogt, Matthias Weiß, and Wiese.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9783775750387

Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 July 2021

Country: Germany

Imprint: Hatje Cantz

Illustration: 300 Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Designed by Anna Sartorius
  • Designed by Lilla Hinrichs

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 200.0mm

Height: 270.0mm

Weight: 920g

Pages: 208

Collections

Arts & Culture Non-Fiction

About the Author

JOSEPH BEUYS (1921-1986) was a draftsman, sculptor, action and installation artist, a teacher, a politician, and an activist, as well as one of the twentieth century's most important artists. Dealing with questions of humanism, social philosophy, anthropology, his universally applied work remains influential to this day.

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