Starting From Language. Joseph Beuys at 100

At the Munich Kammerspiele in 1985 Joseph Beuys contributed to the series Reden über das eigene Land: Deutschland (Lectures on One’s Country: Germany). In his lecture, Beuys pointed out that he develops his works “starting from language”. Beuys viewed language as the equal of sculptural means, a plastic material through which each individual could participate in a re-ordering of society with their body, mind, and communicative behavior. Beuys engages with a wide variety of linguistic phenomena, from silence to extended discussions, from beastly-sounding noises to precise conceptual analyses and enigmatic writings.

More info: www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/starting-from-language/

Photo: Joseph Beuys, Richtkräfte einer neuen Gesellschaft, 1974–1977, Schultafeln mit Kreide beschriftet, 100-teilig, Staffeleien, 3-teilig, Spazierstock (braun gefasst), Lichtkasten mit Foto, Holzpodest mit Bemalung, 228,5 × 1186 × 521 cm, erworben 1976 durch das Land Berlin © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2021 / Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Nationalgalerie / Mathias Völzke