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SPECIALITY: BUTTOCKLIFTING

MULTIPLES AND LIMITED EDITIONS BY JOSEPH BEUYS 

Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) stands out as one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in 20th century art. A German artist, teacher, and activist, Beuys transcended conventional artistic boundaries, challenging the very essence of what art could be.


Renowned for his provocative performances, sculptures, and installations, Beuys delved deeply into themes of social activism, ecology, and humanism, leaving an indelible mark on the contemporary art landscape. His iconic use of unconventional materials, such as felt, fat, and honey, served as vehicles for profound philosophical and political messages.


Through his revolutionary concept of “social sculpture”, Beuys invited audiences to engage actively with art, sparking dialogue and fostering societal transformation. As both a visionary and a provocateur, Beuys continues to inspire generations of artists and thinkers worldwide, with his legacy resonating far beyond the confines of the art world.


The only major retrospective of Beuys in his lifetime opened at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1979. The exhibition has been described as a “lightning rod for American criticism”, eliciting powerful and polemical responses. Today, his works are part of many major museum collections around the world.


In 1982, he was invited to create a work for documenta 7 and delivered a large pile of basalt stones to Kassel, all pointing to a single oak tree that he had planted. He announced that each stone should not be moved unless an oak tree was planted in its place. As a result, 7,000 oak trees were planted in Kassel. This project exemplified how Beuys achieved environmental and social change through his interdisciplinary and participatory projects. The Dia Art Foundation is perpetuating this by planting more trees and pairing them with basalt stones.


Beuys also (co-)founded several political organisations, including German Student Party (1967), Organization for Direct Democracy Through Referendum (1971), Free International University for Creativity and Interdisciplinary Research (1974), and German Party Die Grünen (1980). He became a pacifist and a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons, campaigned for environmental causes, was elected as a Green Party candidate for the European Parliament. Some of his art directly addressed the political issues of that time. Many of them are still highly relevant today.


Throughout his career, Beuys created numerous multiples, limited editions, as well as posters and postcards. He considered these as important parts of his oeuvre, helping him to spread his ideas among a wide audience in an unpretentious and straight-forward manner.


We are thrilled to present a selection of such works, with kind support by eminent Beuys expert
Siegfried Sander, Galerie Multiple Box, Hamburg.

AVAILABLE WORKS:

Rivoli Building
Chaussée de Waterloo 690, Brussels, Belgium

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