Anselm Kiefer's apocalyptic visions of Western civilization
In recent years, Anselm Kiefer has been known as much for his reclusive nature as for his works of art. So when the France-based, German artist agreed two years ago to design and direct a new production at the Opera National de Paris, the international art world sat up and took notice.
"In the Beginning," which opened this week in Paris, is being billed as a hybrid theatrical production and art installation. The new piece was created to honor the 20th anniversary of the company's main house, the Opera Bastille, and was commissioned by the company's leader, Gerard Mortier. Kiefer serves as the principal designer -- sets and costumes -- as well as the director. The music is composed by Jörg Widmann, who is best known as a clarinet soloist.
The mostly plotless spectacle begins with a recorded introduction by French movie actor Denis Podalydès, and features recitation accompanied by a clarinet (Widmann), an accordion and a glass harmonica. Slowly and with dance-like deliberation, the onstage performers enact an abstract version of Western civilization's endless cycle of destruction and rebirth. There are also biblical references galore, as the actors intone ominous passages from the Old Testament.
Of course, the star of the production is Kiefer, who has brought his epic monumentalist sensibility to bear on this world premiere staging. His sets evoke the great ruins of European antiquity while also suggesting a vaguely sci-fi apocalypse.
The limited-run engagement ends July 14.
Click through to see more images of Kiefer's striking set designs...
-- David Ng
Photos: Scenes from the production of "In the Beginning," directed and designed by Anselm Kiefer. Credit: Charles Duprat / Opera National de Paris
This could be interesting, and moving. Kiefer is the only important artist to emerge in the last fifty years, Hockneys later works are excellent too, a couple other though Kiefer stands above them all. More an indictment of art academies than anything. Kiefer has all three qualities of true Creative Art, those things lost in the money rush of the art world industry.
He defines a people, the Germans, but through his world seeks and finds the common humanity in all of us. He explores nature, fields, the sun, rock and earth as we fine our place in it, and how we have destroyed it. He searches for God. Seeking through Teutonic myth, through Jewish heritages destroyed, now unto the very foundations of Abrahamic theology, but also spread throughout humanities craving and need for purpose.
A purpose art has neglected in the contempt era. That of the Age of Meism and excess, which died in the funeral pyre of capitalistic hubris, arrogance, and self-worship. A Reformation is underway, getting back to who WE are, what is Our Purpose, how We should best lead our lives, how do We fulfill ourselves, and mankind. Art must redefine itself, get back to basics, grow from its leaden pseudo intellectual myopia. Life is out there, that is where art must get back to, life, god, humanity. Mind, body and soul. Creative Arts Purpose, the rich can have their Fine arts to decorate and enable their feelings of superiority. Creative art is by, for and about humanity, through god, in our world.
art collegia delenda est
Posted by: Donald Frazell | July 12, 2009 at 09:49 AM