Tuesday, September 7, 2010

German artist, Anselm Kiefer


Anselm Kiefer ( b. March 8, 1945)



Much of Kiefer's early work addressed historical events which directly relate to Germany, including the halocaust.  An early political action titled "Besetzungen" (Occupations) stands out as a clear and powerful example of Kiefer's dedication to exploring guilt and trauma in Germany as a result of the disturbing actions of the Third Reich.





Kiefer studied with Joseph Bueys in the 70's. Under Bueys' creative influence Kiefer began to employ natural and found materials into his paintings and sculptures which contrasted the gravity of heavy subject matter with the natural fragility of organic material.


Death Fugue





Black milk of daybreak we drink it at evening
we drink it at midday and morning we drink it at night
we drink and we drink
we shovel a grave in the air there you won't lie too cramped
A man lives in the house he plays with his vipers he writes
he writes when it grows dark to Deutschland your golden hair Margueritehe writes it and steps out of doors and the stars are all sparkling
he whistles his hounds to come close
he whistles his Jews into rows has them shovel a grave in the ground
he orders us strike up and play for the dance
Black milk of daybreak we drink you at nightwe drink you at morning and midday we drink you at evening
we drink and we drink
A man lives in the house he plays with his vipers he writes
he writes when it grows dark to Deutschland your golden hair Margeurite
your ashen hair Shulamith we shovel a grave in the air there you won't lie too cramped
He shouts jab this earth deeper you lot there you others sing up and play
he grabs for the rod in his belt he swings it his eyes are blue
jab your spades deeper you lot there you others play on for the dancing


Black milk of daybreak we drink you at night
we drink you at midday and morning we drink you at evening
we drink and we drink
a man lives in the house your goldenes Haar Margeurite
your aschenes Haar Shulamith he plays with his vipers
He shouts play death more sweetly Death is a master from Deutschland
he shouts scrape your strings darker you'll rise then in smoke to the sky
you'll have a grave then in the clouds there you won't lie too cramped


Paul Celan

(Translated by John Felstiner)





Margarete(1981)


Studio in Barjac,France













Operation Sea Lion

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