In ‘On Friendship / (Collateral Damage) IV - How to Explain Hare Hunting to a Dead German Artist [The usefulness of continuous measurement of the distance between Nostalgia and Melancholia]’ Joseph Sassoon Semah takes us on a journey of critical analysis of Joseph Beuys and the Germany’s post-war history.
Joseph Beuys (1921, Krefeld- 1986, Dusseldorf) is one of the most influential German post-war artists, who became particularly famous for his performances, installations, lectures and Fluxus concerts.
But who was Beuys truly? Joseph Beuys mythologized his war history as a National Socialist and Germany's problematic and post-traumatic past. After Word War ll Beuys transformed himself from perpetrator to victim. His service in the Luftwaffe did not offset his artistic practice. During the 100th anniversary of Beuys in Germany (2021/22) none of these controversial aspects of Beuys' work, values and ideas are focused upon.
As part of this celebration, it is high time to add a more critical eye on Beuys' work and his relationship to Germany's post-war history. Joseph Sassoon Semah, has done extensive research into Joseph Beuys' work, values and ideas and based on this research and texts he analyses the deeper meaning of the (secret) symbols used by Joseph Beuys. He reacts to them using monumental new sculptures and a series of old and new drawings, performances, texts, and meetings.
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Exile, hospitality and friendship are central themes in the work of Joseph Sassoon Semah (1948, Baghdad). He himself was forced to leave Iraq for Israel in 1950, together with his parents, and in 1981 he arrived in Amsterdam via London, Berlin and Paris. In the on-going project ‘On Friendship / (Collateral Damage)’ Sassoon Semah reflects on identity, history and tradition, exploring the relationship between Judaism and Christianity as sources of Western art and cultural history and politics. In his practice always resonates the aspiration of his grandfather, Sassoon Kadoori, the chief rabbi of Baghdad, to promote dialogue between different religions and worldviews.
After the end of the exhibition a complementary publication will be compiled.
The project is realised in part with the support of Mondriaan Fund, the public fund for visual art and cultural heritage and Redstone Natuursteen & Projecten.
Visit the artist's website: http://www.josephsemah.nl/
© Stichting Metropool Internationale Kunstprojecten
Photos by Peter Tijhuis.