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# Adrian Ghenie: Battleground Studio in Kupferstich-Kabinett
In the cultural heart of Dresden, Germany, the Kupferstich-Kabinett of the State Art Collections is preparing to host a revealing exhibition titled "Battleground Studio: Adrian Ghenie – Works on Paper" Set to open on December 13, 2024, and run until March 16, 2025, the show promises an immersion into the complexities of the 20th century through the lens of Adrian Ghenie, one of the most influential artists of his generation. LEFT: Adrian Ghenie, Study for "Darwin and the Satyr", 2014, Donation from MUSEIS SAXONICIS USUI - Friends of the Dresden State Art Collections e. V. | 2024 © Kupferstich-Kabinett, Dresden State Art Collections, Photo: Caterina Micksch; RIGHT: Adrian Ghenie, Pie Fight Study, 2012, © Adrian Ghenie, Photo: Adrian Ghenie Adrian Ghenie's Insight into the Scars of History This period is often described by the artist as an "era of humiliation" marked by extreme ideologies and global catastrophes. The works on display, which include drawings and collages from the last 20 years, offer a comprehensive overview of Ghenie's work, highlighting about 50 pieces ranging from deformed figures to sombre landscapes that reflect the psychological and physical wounds left by dictatorships and wars. During these decades, the world witnessed the rise of extreme ideologies such as Fascism, Nazism, and Stalinism, which promoted policies of segregation, persecution, and mass elimination. The implementation of these policies was often accompanied by rhetoric of superiority and purification, manifesting in acts of violence and oppression against groups considered inferior or enemies of the state. World War II and the subsequent Cold War are examples of periods when such ideologies were in full force, resulting in millions of victims and a widespread dissemination of trauma and fear. In addition to wars and authoritarian regimes, the 20th century also witnessed global catastrophes that contributed to this "era of humiliation." Environmental disasters, severe economic crises, and pandemics had devastating impacts on entire populations, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions under oppressive regimes and after armed conflicts. Exhibition view "Battleground Studio. Adrian Ghenie - Works on Paper", © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Alexander Peitz Life and Work Adrian Ghenie was born in 1977 in Baia Mare, Romania, and from an early age was fascinated by the darker layers of the human condition. Educated at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Ghenie co-founded Plan B Gallery, a space that started in Cluj before expanding to Berlin. His work is deeply influenced by historical events of the 20th century, and he uses art as a means to explore the complexities of human experiences under oppressive regimes. LEFT: Adrian Ghenie, Degenerate Art, 2014, © Adrian Ghenie, Photo: Jörg von Bruchhausen; RIGHT: Erich Heckel, White Horses (Schwemme), 1912, 2018 Permanent loan from the Dr. Kurt and Annelore Schulze Foundation, © Estate of Erich Heckel, Hemmenhofen and Kupferstich-Kabinett, SKD, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024, Photo: Caterina Micksch Artistic Technique Adrian Ghenie's technique blends traditional painting with collage, creating textures and forms that challenge perception and evoke deep emotions. This innovative approach allows him to explore complex layers of artistic expression, making his works intensely impactful and visually rich. Ghenie's inspirations include masters such as Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning, whose influences are noticeable in the manipulation of the human form and the intense expression that characterizes his works. These artists are known for their expressionist techniques and their ability to capture the human condition in ways that transcend the traditional, features that Ghenie incorporates and reinvents in his own style. Furthermore, figurative alienation is a recurring theme in Ghenie's work, often using visual distortion as a metaphor for dehumanization and loss of identity. He explores this theme through figures that appear to dissolve or fragment within the canvas space, reflecting the psychological and emotional impacts of the traumatic experiences his works often address. LEFT: Adrian Ghenie, Impossible Body, 2023, © Adrian Ghenie, Photo: Jörg von Bruchhausen; RIGHT: Otto Dix, Patrol in the Wire Entanglement, 1914,2018 Permanent loan from the Dr. Kurt and Annelore Schulze Foundation © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024 and Kupferstich-Kabinett, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Andreas Diesend This combination of traditional techniques with contemporary methods of collage allows Ghenie to create works that are both a study of the human psyche and a visual critique of social and historical tensions. His ability to seamlessly merge visual elements in such a fluid and impactful manner makes his works a powerful commentary on modernity and its dysfunctions. Showcasing Innovation: The Exhibition at the Kupferstich-Kabinett The exhibition "Battleground Studio" contextualizes Adrian Ghenie's repertoire within the history of art and also introduces a new series of charcoal works inspired by Otto Dix's drawing of a "war wounded man" which resonates with Ghenie's critical view on violence and its repercussions. This dialogue between Ghenie's works and the Kupferstich-Kabinett collection enriches the narrative of the exhibition, allowing visitors a deeper understanding of the intersections between art and history. LEFT: Exhibition view "Battleground Studio. Adrian Ghenie - Works on Paper", © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Alexander Peitz; RIGHT: Exhibition view "Battleground Studio. Adrian Ghenie - Works on Paper", © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Alexander Peitz Visitors to the exhibition can expect a journey through a series of works that not only depict history but also provoke reflection on how societies remember and respond to their most traumatic pasts. The experience is enhanced by a richly illustrated catalog, available in English and German, which offers additional insights into the works and themes addressed in the exhibition. "Battleground Studio: Adrian Ghenie – Works on Paper" promises to be a memorable exploration of art's ability to capture and interpret the most complex aspects of the human experience. LEFT: Exhibition view "Battleground Studio. Adrian Ghenie - Works on Paper", © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Alexander Peitz; RIGHT: Exhibition view "Battleground Studio. Adrian Ghenie - Works on Paper", © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Photo: Alexander Peitz LOT-ART SERVICES FOR COLLECTOR NEW! 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