Art as a mirror of soul and society

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Meaning and protection of being different and thinking differently

Monika Bauer invitation by the shark mixed media digital photo print 1 300x220 - Art as a mirror of soul and society

 Monika von Eschenbach-invitation by the shark-mixed media-digital photo print

Our world lives from diversity and balance 

Where monocultures emerge, they initially use only a few, but destroy our common livelihood. Faults in nature and in social life are made possible by an imbalance of concentrated . If you want to counter abuses or eliminate them, you need to maintain a balance in the game of powers.

Our influence on the balance of power in nature may be small, but we can influence our own life positively or negatively. The world of business and politics is defined by rules and breaches of rules, with the result not only of prospering societies, but also of climate change, wars and migration movements. We can change something, but only if there is a fundamental change in awareness and the relationships that result from it.

Logically these findings also apply to the world of art. Art and the art system do not have a life of their own, but are always as well  a mirror of the surrounding nature and society. The boom in the art market, the overemphasis on individual protagonists who threaten to neglect the asset, may shown to art lovers a distorted picture of the art world. If art wants to be able to fulfill its essential social task, artists must finally be perceived and valued as natural, necessary partners within the social fabric. Without art and culture a development of society - and thus also of the economy - is ultimately impossible. Having and wanting to use what is necessary, but still not appreciating it, ultimately reflects a basic problem of all common social systems. As important as it can be sometimes to focus on something, without diversity everything is nothing.

Just as there is a monopolization of the art scene with regard to a few "chosen ones", the perception of art is also shaped by a gender-specific imbalance. The imagination that is required to create something new is primarily attributed to the male gender and secondly to market value. Women, on the other hand, have at most been granted the status of muses or perhaps as sponsors of artists. Women whose work still arrive the eye of the public and who cam live from their work, are still a exception. Also in the case they are gifted by talent, success seems to be often unbelievable.

Art as mirror of soul and society

If you acknowledge that a work of art will be at its best a mirror of the soul, then it should also be noted that art is a mirror of society. Of course, this includes the inner and outer structures. Unfortunately, equality by balance is still terra incognita not only in art administration, but also in the field of artists themselves. If you want equal rights to participate in life, you need increased awareness and, above all, solidarity in the world of lone artists. Shouldn't it be a sign of freedom and reason that each individual can develop and imagine their own view of the world?

Thankfully, there are approaches of social movement and also a few artists who openly represent the conviction of equality as the premise of a social community. For example, Michael Jansen, veteran of the new avant-garde, calls  for "destruction of expectations" (see:  exhibition at KunstStücke by Dettmer | art projects). He would like to encourage expectations to break out of crusted thinking. His artist friend Heinz Zolper, painter and multimedia actor, as well has been committed to work on the ideas of "love and respect" for decades and even start "Dame - cult"  as a project for public spaces. He is pointing to the importance of the female being and is warning of the obligation to protect the other. Both artists recognize the pedagogical need to counter a borderline society and anti-social behavior and to show exemplary ways. The basic essence of a free society is precisely the coexistence of differentiation as well as agreement. In this respect, any preference based on natural or artificial differences is forbidden in an open society.

However, people don't just need art and culture to be human, artists also need unhindered access to the public as a basis of their lifes. The right to artistic development also means the right to connect with the public and to live by working. In this respect, it is an obligation of society as a whole to enable and promote this requirement regardless of gender, age and above all relationships.

Guest contribution: ArtExpert I network - Peter Merten, art and cultural scientist *
The article is also published on KunstStücke by Dettmer I art projects

* Merten recently edited the following books on ArtForum Editions I KulturPlusMedien (new):
- Truths believed. Contribution to the philosophy of photography. Considerations on the work of the conceptual artist and
Photographer Heinz-Günter Mebusch, 2020
- KAIN - Principle of the evil. 2019
- Magic of painting / or / What it's like to be yourself. Heinz Zolper monograph

Online order at: winterstiftung (at) web.de.

Conspiracy theories on Corona – a challenge

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Brief note on conspiracy theories

Numerous conspiracy theories also circulate in Corona times.
What is behind it?

DuBose Biz Markie ArtForum Editions 300x262 - Conspiracy theories on Corona - a challenge

 George DuBose - Biz Markie. ArtForum Editions

Conspiracy theories are a psycho-sociological phenomenon that broadly describes the attempt to explain a state, an event or a development through a conspiracy.  It is suspected, that i.e. a targeted, secret work of a mostly small group of people will detriment a few other people or or (parts of) society . They are generally understood by the public in the sense of ideologies that ultimately do not promote a critical debate, but rather hinder it. Numerous conspiracy theories also circulate in the case of the corona virus.

As far as conspiracy theories are based on rational and verifiable statements or questions, one should correctly speak of conspiracy hypotheses.
Hypotheses are fundamentally not negative, they require space where knowledge is missing or is not accessible.

Imagine: Corona-virus and its disease Covid-19 as well as conspiracy ideologies threaten humanity. Knowledge, solidarity, respect and love are required like never before.

So, even in times of Corona, numerous questions are still open:

-  Why is a long time advised procedure to wear protective masks  rejected or made ridiculous instead to declare openly that preventive measures are still missing? 
-  Why free stays in the fresh air (even in the forest, mountains, sea) are prohibited, but inside supermarkets (different from district to district, from city to state), supermarket cashiers and customers are unprotected?
- Why are disinfection procedures are done and masks prescribed and worn especially in countries with some experiences with aerosol diseases?  But in e.g. Europe there is  not even insight into this question yet?

Of course, we cannot give any qualified answers at this point and would even like to expressly warn against conspiracy ideologies.
Perhaps, however, our information will help to understand the problem somewhat better and to protect us all.

Truths Invented or Believed?

When it is no longer possible to explain everything with the work of an almighty God, there is a growing tendency to attribute unpleasant phenomena to the dark power of a conspiratorial group - “somebody has to be responsible for it”. This appears to be the only solution out of your own ignorance and responsibility. In this sense, conspiracy theories in the sense of hypotheses are primarily to be understood as symptoms of a crisis in the face of a state of ignorance. The state of ignorance in turn leads to fear. Fears are a natural feeling, so you should take them seriously. They are not sick as such, but they can make you sick if you can't deal with them.

Violence - internally and / or externally - can be a result of fear and thus a logical consequence of conspiracy tendencies: if the threat posed by an overpowered power is to great and if there is still no means due to an ideological self-sealing to refute the fearful idea, then, maybe, every means attainable will be right to defend it.

Fears must therefore always be taken very seriously. A way out of weakness can only provide by knowledge through comprehensive transparency and education. Because knowledge is the best way to find solutions. However, there will be no state of omniscient truth.Knowledge does not mean truth. Any research can only create knowledge, but we can only believe the truth *. Ultimately, truths cannot be suppressed by disciplining what can be said, but only by accessing and accepting as diverse a knowledge as possible.

* Recommended for a fundamental insight into the phenomenon "Believed Truths" is the publication of the same name as a contribution to the philosophy of photography at ArtForum Editions I KulturPlusMedien. Book order online at: winterstiftung (at) web.de.
(PM)

Stay healthy**

**A common project of Artforum Culture Foundation,  WinterStiftung Hamburg  and GoPublic-Stiftungsberatung

 

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NOTES ON CORONA (Covid-19)

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Healing the world !

HELP! - YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

Corona, the coronavirus and its disease Covid-19 threaten humanity.
Solidarity, respect and love are required like never before.

The virus multiplies in the throat. While an infected person speaks or coughs, he drops droplets almost automatically. These fly about 1.5 to 2 meters (when sneezing even 4 - 5 meters) before it will fall slowly to the ground. The infection usually arises from inhalation of such droplets and the aerosol of the evaporation.

If you are concerned that you have already become infected through contact with an infected person, for example, you should contact the responsible health department by phone, email or whats app. The experts will advise you which measures have to be taken. To see actual dayly statistics about corona virus infection, please press here.

Coranavirus - How can you protect yourself?

According to experts, only special fine particle masks, also known as filtering face pieces (FFP), are suitable for protecting yourself from infection by droplets from sick people. They consist entirely or partially of non-replaceable filter material and reduce infectious aerosols in the inhaled air. During the SARS epidemic 2002/2003, some studies for so-called FFP3 masks had demonstrated a certain protective effect (up to 98% certain).

The WHO recommends that the masks are not used as a preventive measure for healthy people, but only for patients and people who may have been infected so that they do not spread the virus. In suspicious cases, medical personnel in particular should wear a mask to protect themselves from a droplet infection. To protect against viruses, the WHO and e.g. in Germany by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommended above all strict hand hygiene. Nevertheless, it makes sense to protect yourself largely as a healthy person and thus not to further heat up the infection chain.

In cooperation with Artforum Culture Foundation also the Winter Foundation Hamburg we would like to give you some tips and recommendations for self-protection:

The art of hygiene*

  • Wash your hands
  • Keep a safe distance.
  • Disinfect incoming packages. Dispose of packaging material immediately.
  • Wear respiratory protection on contact. (Sun) glasses. (Disposable) gloves.
  • Only use towels yourself. Collect and wash in a safe sack after use.
  • Wash glasses after every external contact, dispose of other materials in a small bag immediately.

After possible contact:

  • Don't touch your face.
  • Wash your hair Or better: take a short shower. Dry thoroughly.

Advice if breathing protection is not available:

Do it yourself!
Pattern for breathing masks.

Please use always actual information

Materials (in order from outside to inside)

  • Thin plastic film (e.g. parts of a bag)
  • Two to three layers of household towels
  • Lay out a thin layer of cotton wool (or a cotton cloth)
  • Activated carbon filter (e.g. for extractor hoods), if availabl
  • Folded paper tissues (or two layers of toilet paper

Working steps

  • Layer everything
  • Make a pattern based on illustrations of breathing masks by eye, made of fabric that covers the nose, mouth and over the chin based on the standard breathing masks.
  • Accordingly, the above material is modest in one operation
  • Sew all layers together using the sewing machine or by hand at the edges.
  • Sew on the elastic band (e.g. from underwear or pajamas) on the right and left, so that a loop is created that is sufficient and secure for fastening behind the ears.
  • Make absolutely sure that such a mask surrounds the nose and mouth well on the outside and that there is enough space to breathe inside.

These recommendations are not guaranteed and are subject to better care and / or newer knowledge.
* A common project of WinterStiftung Hamburg, Artforum Culture Foundation and GoPublic-Stiftungsberatung

Stay healthy!

 

Zolper: Suggestion not only for International Women’s Day

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The "Dame" by Heinz Zolper - a metaphor for Love and Respect

Zolper Dame Skulptur Speicherstadt Hamburg Entwurf 300x169 - Zolper: Suggestion not only for International Women's Day

 Dame sculpture in front of Speicherstadt Hamburg, draft by the artist Heinz Zolper

In a recent symposium on feminism and gender discussion in preparation for World Women's Day 2020, Heinz Zolper once again drew attention to the importance of holistic social life. He gave a clear rejection to dominance outside of a factually and ethically responsible context. Authoritarian claims to power and, in the near future, mechanisms of oppression may have no place in an enlightened world. They are an anachronism, which, however, makes it very clear how bad things are in terms of education and societies and groups.

Worldwide - and especially in large areas of the so-called western hemisphere too - women and other less re-presented social groups have no fair chance to participate independently in common life. Ultimately it is not enough to privilege only individual women through promised management positions. As long as existing systems only change some figures, but do not take into account a consolidation of the biological and psychological requirements and goals of all parts of society, the previous functional orientation remains unchanged. Therefore, quota regulations should only be made as a minimum requirement in the form of unimpeded and directly enforceable rights; everything else ignores the interests of girls and women, but also of other disadvantaged groups (such as children or minorities). The status quo can only be improved in terms of equality and enforceable rights for all. Because what good is it to exchange individual person on defined positions, but to maintain an unjust system. Respect for women, but generally respect for all creation, requires clear rules and visible signs of warning and reminder. However, respect can only really arise where is a place to develop self-confidence and an understanding of the need for love. Of course, this requires a process of learning and understanding - for those who are affected as well as for people who prevent this - doesn't  matter  fee it out of malice or stupidity. Such a process requires appropriate space and security, otherwise it cannot develop. In order to avoid polarization, it is also important to understand that actual or supposed claims will cripple the personality of the practitioner and generally reduce his chances of positive participation in life. Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether it's male, female or childish - what matters is the diversity of life. Caution and respect for one another is a basic requirement for all social interaction and every sustainable life. Disregard and disrespect, no matter by whom, are anti-social. The pursuit of these goals can only be achieved through a paradigm shift in everyone's mind if we want that our behaviour will be shaped by love and respect. Of course, this includes generally social ostracism of disregarding or even abusive behavior and actions. And these limits must apply to everyone, regardless of gender and age; and they shouldn't stop at the economic interests and of course enclose our earth with all it's creatures.

The "Dame"-sculpture - a must project for public spaces

The artist Heinz Zolper (* 1949) has been pursuing these goals for nearly half a century. And he has created an adaptable metaphor for his discourse: the so-called “Dame” portrait - which he wants to put more in the public eye as a symbol that is visible from afar. When Zolper hopes for love and demands respect, he trusts nothing more than on a process in the word's true meaning. 'Re-looking' as a literal translation of the Latin respectio refers to the repeated consideration and thorough assessment of a new impression in order to avoid the limited and superficiality of the first glance. Only a constant questioning of our own actions and our immediate perspectives can lead to the recognition of the rights of the other. Only thus can effect respect for the other and our environment. However, where love and respect are lacking or not given enough attention, everyone ultimately loses, regardless of the supposed position of power. That's the reason why Zolper's "Dame" is not just a multifaceted sign of the demanded respect for women, but a reminder and monument for the incompleteness of people and for social interaction. The artist, whose painterly work has accompanied the Winter Foundation for many years, wants his "Dame" sculptures  to be understood as a memorial in public space to inspire and motivate us for our daily life. (pm)

References:
Magic of painting / or / what it is like to be yourself, monograph, 2019, ArtForum Editions
Cain - Principle of the Evil, 2019, ArtForum Editions
Zolper, women's cult, feminism and gender discussion, catalogue Dettmer art projects, ArtForum Editions

Compare also: Fragments from now. For an unfinished future, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, March 20. - May 03.2020

Destruction of expectations

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Jansen Michael MetroMusic Moscow ArtForum Editions 300x220 - Destruction of expectations

 Jansen, Michael - MetroMusic Moscow, ArtForum Editions

PLEASE NOTE:

Dear friends of art,
access to the exhibition is  possible after prior notification and agreement under the relevant hygiene protection regulations. 

Art friends are welcome to  contact the Dettmer art projects team  via email  . Of course you can contact anytime as usual the Winter Foundation  by email.

We hope you enjoy the art show
and above all good health.

Michael Jansen challenges new ways of seeing

Essential works by the artist Michael Jansen (* 1951) are presented in the art salon of our cultural partner KunstStücke by Dettmer I art projects in Cologne. The small show offers the viewer a good overview of the artist's extensive work:
Signs (as drawings and reliefs), OptiMystic vitamins (diaphane colour worlds), artificial landscapes, colour field painting and photographs. Unknown signs appear spontaneously and varied as drawings or reliefs. His series of OptiMystic Vitamins and Artificial Landscapes appeal to our senses and psyche. Examples of his colour field painting invite to meditation and historical reflection. Finally, in his photographs, Jansen combines different motifs, digital processing and substances into a different subject. Jansen challenges the viewer to a new way of seeing and thus makes him a partner in his art conception.

The art salon of the lawyer and painter Jana Dettmer, Dettmer art projects Cologne, invites after successful Zolper-exhibition all estimated art lovers to participate an insight into the work of an artist, who is also known for his important impulses to contemporary art. It is important to remember to his collaboration i.a. with Joseph Beuys (room 3 / All German post-war poetry ...), John Cage, Marina Abramovicz, Mike Hentz, his cross-over installations (soundscape, weather projects) or his appearances during the Documenta Kassel exhibitions in 1983 and 93. The present exhibition becomes possible thanks to private donors and to loans from the Winter Foundation. Few works are available to support the project. A catalogue accompanies the exhibition (15 EUR).

Vernissage Cologne, Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
The vernissage will be accompanied with music by Jumana Hamandouche (clarinet) and Marion Mick (accordion).

Exhibition February 28 - extended until May 28, 2020.
KunstStücke by Dettmer art projects. Stammheimer Straße 15 (near Botanischer Garten), 50735 Cologne

Foundations as effective actors in civil society

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Hamburg foundations - Frontrunner in Germany

c Stiftungstage Hamburg 300x192 - Foundations as effective actors in civil society

 (c) Hamburger Stiftungstage

Hamburg is an economically prosperous city. The Hanseatic city is also the frontrunner in Germany in terms of commitment to foundations, because no other state has as many foundations per 100,000 inhabitants. Founding has a long tradition in Hamburg: the oldest Hamburg foundation was founded in 1227. Even today, foundations are effective actors in civil society who implement charitable projects, help to solve social problems, supporting cultural tasks and shaping the future.

The Stiftungsbüro Hamburg is a cooperation project of Hamburg foundations to make the work of Hamburg foundations and the idea of ​​the foundation visible to society. As a communication and event office, the foundation office coordinates the theme days for Hamburg foundations and the Hamburg Foundation Days. Information about the Winter Foundation can be found on the website Hamburger-Stiftungen.de

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Feminism and gender dialogue

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Heinz Zolper. Damen-Kult         

Even the early ideas of European feminism proclaimed nothing else than human rights. Apparently self-evident is not only a black hole in the medieval notion of Arabic cultures, but also does not grow in our modern societies often  beyond the fig leaf attitude. Heinz Zolper is an artist who has dealt in detail with the subject of 'freedom and law' and especially 'female freedom'. With his artistic symbol of the "lady" he is working like hardly any other artist to raise awareness of a still unfulfilled need. His "lady" portraits and sculptures are standing for an intellectual and social stance that can permanently confer on his art the status of the avant-garde.

The art salon of lawyer and painter Jana Dettmer, Dettmer art projects Cologne, presented this special aspect of Zolper's work in cooperation with Winter Stiftung, Hamburg. Graphics, painting and sculptures are shown within this cabinet exhibition. A catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Opening on thursday, 30.01.2020, 6 pm.  Exhibition January 30 - February 19, 2020.

KunstStücke by Dettmer art projects. Stammheimer Straße 15 (near botanic garden), 50735 Cologne

 

 

Music Photography in Tokyo

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Bildschirmfoto 2019 12 06 um 10.15.56 PM - Music Photography in Tokyo

ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHY OF POST BEATLES; CLASSIC ROCK AND NEWLY EMERGING PUNK MUSIC FROM THE 70S AND 80S.

Exhibition at Ricoh Imaging Square Ginza, right in the heart of Tokyo.

Works by George Dubose are presented in the gallery (8th floor). George DuBose, the legendary photo artist and music influencer, shows again in Japan essential icons of his work series. Right in the center of the metropolis, in the main business and entertainment district of Ginza, special highlights and works not yet shown will be presented to an enthusiastic audience. Western music and the unique photography style of George DuBose offers the right mix to the visitors.

More than 250,000 members measures just the Madonna fan base in Japan. And George Dubose is the artist who, for example, documented her first concert in breathtaking shots. Art and music, both are manifested in the work of DuBose - and his friends appreciate that, especially in Japan.

18.12.2019 - 19.01.2020 I Location: 5-7-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Sanai Dream Center 8F / 9F

Zolper: Magic of Painting

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Zolper - New monograph of his paintings

Zolper GemäldeI Paintings monograph ArtForum Editions 300x285 - Zolper: Magic of Painting

 Zolper - GemäldeI Paintings - monograph (c) Zolper I ArtForum Editions

The monograph "Heinz Zolper, magic of painting / or/ how it is to be yourself", with paintings from 1979 - 2019, has been published by ArtForum Editions. The book is available as a soft and hardcover edition. The first edition is numbered and signed. The first 50 copies are accompanied by a unique graphic by the artist, available at art bookstores or online at Winter Stiftung Hamburg.  The publication was supported by the foundation. The artist, who turned 70 this year, already has several paintings in the Winter Foundation's collection.
Heinz Zolper, a loner and artistic partner of different personalities such as Milva, Udo Kier, Mae West, Russ Meyer, Rainer Fassbender and Andy Warhol, is a renowned figural painter and crossover artist. Typical of his artistic statement is a philosophical approach with humoristic elements and historical references.
He became known as the creator of the "Dame" cult. The Dame, as an emblematic sign stylistically inspired by Matisse as well as by Warhol's Marilyn portraits, is often used as a recurrent element of his paintings, graphics and sculptures. With this figure he put early on an artistic landmark for the importance of women and gender equality.

Against precarious Work – and the importance of solidarity

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Oscar Murillo Kunstverein Hamburg - Against precarious Work - and the importance of solidarity

OSCAR MURILLO IN THE KUNSTVEREIN HAMBURG

The Colombian artist Oscar Murillo (* 1986 in La Paíla) is dealing in his exhibition at the Kunstverein Hamburg with the subject of precarious work and the importance of understanding solidarity. Primarily a painter and interested in aesthetic discourse - he is going beyond this framework.  He has  installed within the large hall of the Kunstverein an agora where he try to express his unbroken belief in geographic, cultural and socio-political cohesion. In Horizontal Darkness in Search of Solidarity large canvases from the manifestation series sewn together from various pieces with the effigies (portraits) and stuffed dolls that symbolize the ordinary people from from his hometown La Paíla. Various grandstands, which are also used as part of the accompanying program, are inviting visitors to sit down and watch and perceive the Agora as a place of debate. In addition to canvas works and drawings, the exhibition also shows several video works by Murillo that examine the subject of mobility and the eternal state of change. The windows, which he had made by craftsmen from Azerbaijan using the technic of traditional stained glass technology, consist of rusted sheet metal from run-down factories and symbolize the globalization scrap of our time. The various materials and processes illuminate the topic of physical work and question the importance of migration, community, exchange and trade in today's globalized world.

 09.11.2019 - 26.01.2020, Kunstverein Hamburg.

Over the weekend of January 24th and 25th, 2020 there will be a program of artistic feedback on the exhibition. In Search of Maintained Solidarity: A Frame for the No Longer Visible is a program consisting of lectures, discussions, performances and musical and poetic contributions.