Anselm Kiefer, one of the most significant contemporary artists, continues to captivate audiences with his profound exploration of history, mythology, and memory. Born in Germany in 1945, Kiefer’s work is deeply influenced by his country's complex past, particularly the Nazi era and its aftermath. Over the years, his monumental paintings, sculptures, and installations have become a testament to the interplay of personal and collective history, memory, and myth.
Kiefer was born in Donaueschingen, a small town in the Black Forest region of Germany, just months before the end of World War II. Growing up in the shadow of the war and its destruction profoundly influenced his artistic vision. Kiefer’s early works often grapple with themes of guilt, responsibility, and the scars of history. He studied under influential artists such as Joseph Beuys and Peter Dreher, who encouraged him to delve into the traumatic aspects of German history.
Kiefer’s art is characterized by its use of heavy, often unconventional materials like lead, concrete, straw, ash, and broken glass. These materials lend his work a tactile, almost sculptural quality, creating a sense of weight and permanence. His canvases are frequently large-scale, commanding attention with their physical presence and the depth of their subject matter. Central to Kiefer’s oeuvre is his engagement with themes of destruction and regeneration. His works are often layered with references to literature, mythology, alchemy, and history, creating a rich tapestry of meaning. Heavily influenced by poets like Paul Celan and Ingeborg Bachmann, Kiefer’s paintings evoke a sense of melancholy and contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the past and its impact on the present.
In recent years, Kiefer has continued to push the boundaries of his practice, creating works that are both visually striking and intellectually profound. One of his notable recent projects is the series “Superstrings, Runes, The Norns, Gordian Knot,” exhibited at White Cube Bermondsey in London in 2019. This series explores the intersections of science, mythology, and philosophy, reflecting Kiefer’s ongoing fascination with the mysteries of the universe.
The “Superstrings” paintings delve into theoretical physics, specifically string theory, which posits that the fundamental particles of the universe are one-dimensional “strings.” Kiefer juxtaposes this scientific theory with ancient mythological symbols and runes, creating a dialogue between contemporary science and ancient wisdom. The use of runes, symbols from ancient Germanic languages, reflects his interest in the roots of civilization and the transmission of knowledge across time.
Kiefer’s recent work also delves into the spiritual realm, exploring the idea of transformation and the transcendence of the material world. His large-scale installations often incorporate natural elements like flowers and branches, symbolizing growth, and decay. This interplay between nature and artifice creates a space where viewers can contemplate the cycles of life and death.
Anselm Kiefer's "Schewirat ha-Kelim" ("Breaking of the Vessels") is a profound and thought-provoking artwork exhibited at the Jüdisches Museum Berlin. Created in 1990, this monumental installation delves into Jewish mysticism, specifically the Kabbalistic concept of the same name. The "Breaking of the Vessels" refers to a mystical event in which divine light shattered the vessels meant to contain it, leading to the creation of the material world and the presence of evil. Kiefer's interpretation of this complex theme is rendered through a massive bookshelf filled with lead books, broken glass, and other symbolic materials. The use of lead, a material recurrent in Kiefer's work, represents both protection and toxicity, reflecting the dual nature of the divine light and its shattering. The broken glass scattered across the installation echoes the fragility and destruction inherent in the mystical event.
The shelves in the installation are physical structures and symbolize the human endeavor to seek knowledge and understanding. The lead books are inscribed with various texts, including references to the Kabbalah and other mystical traditions, suggesting human knowledge's fragmented and incomplete nature.
Kiefer's work is characterized by its deep historical and philosophical engagements, and "Schewirat ha-Kelim" is no exception. It challenges viewers to reflect on themes of creation, destruction, and the quest for meaning in a world marked by fragmentation and loss. The artwork's physicality and scale immerse the viewer in a space that feels both overwhelming and contemplative, mirroring the overwhelming nature of the concepts it seeks to explore.
At the Jüdisches Museum Berlin, "Schewirat ha-Kelim" is not just an art piece but a dialogue with the past and present, inviting visitors to ponder the spiritual and material ruptures that shape human existence. Kiefer’s installation stands as a testament to the power of art to engage with complex philosophical ideas and to evoke a deep emotional response, making it a significant piece within the museum's collection.
Kiefer’s art challenges viewers to confront the complexities of history and memory, to reflect on the past, and to consider the possibilities of transformation and renewal. As he continues to create and exhibit new works, Kiefer remains a vital and influential figure in the contemporary art world, inspiring future generations to explore the depths of human experience through the lens of art.