Anselm Kiefer

Anselm Kiefer is a tireless polymath with an infinite number of interests. The artist is always looking for new insights and meanings. And this is clearly reflected in his layered work. In his work, he interweaves Germanic mythology, history, poetry, literature and philosophy. He uses traditional and unconventional materials, such as lead, bricks and bicycles. He exposes his works to the elements, sets them on fire, adds life-size objects or chisels away previously applied layers. In this way he creates true symphonies full of texture and meaning, on which he keeps working endlessly. Because for him, a work of art is actually never finished.

Anselm Kiefer: ‘Art is longing. You never arrive, but you keep going in the hope that you will.’

Anselm Kiefer, Winterreisse, 2015-2020 – Collection of the artist
Photo: Georges Poncet

The world of Kiefer

Voorlinden created the exhibition in close collaboration with the artist himself. In Wassenaar, Anselm Kiefer is given every opportunity to showcase the breadth of his oeuvre and interests. The focus here is on his work from the past 15 years. In Voorlinden, you can wander through grand landscapes, past sculptures with multiple meanings and installations full of symbolism. You can analyse titles, quoted texts, techniques and materials in an attempt to solve Anselm Kiefer’s poetic riddles or simply wander through the world the artist presents to you.

Anselm Kiefer: ‘What does the artist do? He draws connections. He ties the invisible threads between things. He dives into history, be it the history of mankind, the geological history of the Earth or the beginning and end of the manifest cosmos.’

Very recent work

The exhibition at Voorlinden starts with a bookcase full of lead books and a planted cornfield. Next, you pass gigantic gold and lead paintings, whose depictions seem half chipped. You get lost in a room full of vitrines and then end up in a winter landscape brimming with references to romantic writers and thinkers. At the end, the exhibition returns to the book with a selection of artists’ books and some paintings Anselm Kiefer worked on as recently as last summer – and for which he used pages from his own diaries.

Director Suzanne Swarts: ‘At Voorlinden, you discover Anselm Kiefer as a playful man, a boundless artist who keeps exploring, breaking down and building up. You even get an idea of what his studio looks like; the scale of the works, the diversity of the materials used, the breadth of his passions and interests. You can immerse yourself in Kiefer’s world, as it were, at Voorlinden.’

Playing in ruins

Anselm Kiefer was born just before World War II ended. As a child, he played in the ruins of post-war Germany, building houses from stones he found among the rubble. He never stopped building and demolishing after that. He was one of the first German artists to examine the recent history of his motherland in the late 1960s. Initially, he was met with a lot of criticism, but later specifically appreciated for exposing what remained unsaid. Over the past five decades, he has built up an oeuvre of stature and a large fan base  that follows him closely. His work is included in important museum collections around the world and Voorlinden has several works in its collection.

Anselm (2023) – Wim Wenders 

In the documentary Anselm, Wim Wenders sketches a portrait of artist Anselm Kiefer. Shot in 3D and 6K resolution, the film fully immerses the audience in the extraordinary world and work of one of the leading modern artists. Anselm had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and can be seen in cinemas in Belgium from 18 October and in Dutch cinemas from 26 October.

The Guardian: ‘This is a superbly controlled and expressed film and its seriousness about the nature and purpose of art is really invigorating.’ ****

Anselm Kiefer, Aus Herzen und Hirnen sprießen die Halme der Nacht, 2019-2020, Collection museum Voorlinden