Sale: 519 / Post War / Cont. Art II, June 19. 2021 in Munich Lot 412

 

412
Joseph Beuys
Fotografie von Lothar Wolleh: Joseph Beuys im Moderna Museet, Stockholm (Schwarzer Rand), 1971.
Black and white photograph by Lothar Wolleh on ...
Estimate:
€ 18,000 / $ 19,440
Sold:
€ 22,500 / $ 24,300

(incl. surcharge)
Fotografie von Lothar Wolleh: Joseph Beuys im Moderna Museet, Stockholm (Schwarzer Rand). 1971.
Black and white photograph by Lothar Wolleh on photo canvas.
Signed in bottom center by Joseph Beuys. From an edition of 4 copies. 112 x 104 cm (44 x 40.9 in), size of sheet.
The photograph was made during the setup of Beuys' first international exhibition at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm in January 1971. Wolleh and Beuys later conceived the 'Unterwasserbuch' (Underwater Book 1971), for which select photographs made in Stockholm were presented in a tub filled with water.
In 1971 the motif was relased in a smaller size (40 x 39.5 cm) in the publication "Düsseldorf art Scene" in an edition of 150 copies.
• "Joseph Beuys. Teckningar och objekt. 1937-1970. Ur samlimg van der Grinten" was Joseph Beuys' first international solo show.
• Rare proof on photo canvas of the photograph by Lothar Wolleh (1930 - 1979)
.

PROVENANCE: Private collection Germany.

EXHIBITION: Kunstpalast Düsseldorf (permanent loan from June 19, 2008 - November 1, 2020)
Spot on, Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf, June 14 - November 9, 2008.
Joseph Beuys: Wo ist Element 3?, Ketterer Kunst, Berlin, March 26 – May 22, 2021.

On the occasion of the set-up of the exhibition "Joseph Beuys. Teckningar och objekt. 1937-1970. Ur samlimg van der Grinten" at Moderna Museet in Stockholm (January 16 to February 18, 1971), Joseph Beuys was accompanied by his friend Lothar Wolleh who photo-documented the set-up. Wolleh presented these "Stockholm photos" in his 1971 artist book "Beuys. Eine Dokumentation von Lothar Wolleh" . The photos also led to a joint initiative, the publication of the so-called underwater book, consisting of 51 Wolleh photos printed on PVC and a Beuys multiple. The project was never completed due to technical problems, even if a few copies of the book exist, but Wolleh's photographs on PVC were given a “second life” as “3 Tonnen Edition“ (1973) - in reference to the total weight of the sheets intended for binding as an underwater book – especially since Beuys had some of them "revised", signed and stamped. Under the same title “Unterwasserbuch“ (1972), Joseph Beuys also designed a composite work in a small edition, consisting of Lothar Wolleh's book made of PVC and a diving torch in a basin with water." (Quote from: https://www.lothar-wolleh.com/de/stories/joseph-beuys-in-den-archiven-lothar-wollehs/). In our iconic photo, Beuys stands between the tracks of "Elastischer Fuß" from 1969, with the sledges from "The Pack", also from 1969, in the foreground. During the set-up Beuys wore a fur coat, which has to be understood as a homage to the north and its myths. The man in fur enters the room as a shaman who seems to arrange his works (instruments) for a séance. [Eugen Blume / EH]



412
Joseph Beuys
Fotografie von Lothar Wolleh: Joseph Beuys im Moderna Museet, Stockholm (Schwarzer Rand), 1971.
Black and white photograph by Lothar Wolleh on ...
Estimate:
€ 18,000 / $ 19,440
Sold:
€ 22,500 / $ 24,300

(incl. surcharge)