Joseph Beuys

Zu demVortrag: Der Soziale Organismus - ein Kunstwerk, Bochum 2.03.1974 [For the lecture: The social organism - a work of art, Bochum, 2nd March...

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About this artwork

Beuys began to use blackboards in his early 'actions' when working with the Fluxus group in the early 1960s. They were an effective way of transmitting information in the lectures he gave, which became an increasingly important part of his later work. This is the only blackboard in the ARTIST ROOMS Collection. Taken from a lecture given in the West German city of Bochum, the artist seems to be showing how nature should be at the centre of our society. The circles and lines connecting animal, man and nature (represented by sketches of the sun and mountains) support Beuys's belief that we must listen to our natural instincts.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Joseph Beuys (1921 - 1986) German
  • title:
    Zu demVortrag: Der Soziale Organismus - ein Kunstwerk, Bochum 2.03.1974 [For the lecture: The social organism - a work of art, Bochum, 2nd March 1974]
  • date created:
    1974
  • materials:
    Chalk on blackboard
  • measurements:
    100.00 x 130.0 x 2.00 cm (framed: 107.10 x 136.90 x 7.00 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00621
  • gallery:
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys