FMP Concept

Concept // One of the most controversial topics in Germany is the processing of the Nazi regime. In History and German Studies it makes up more than half of the school syllabus. Recently, due to right-wing extremist attacks and controversial statements by AfD-politicians (a right-wing party), the Bundestag has debated on how best to remember the atrocities of the Nazi-regime. It's a time in history that one could argue Germany and its people still haven't been able to fully understand and come to terms with. For us, growing up in a liberal democracy, it can be difficult to imagine. The numbers of people who have direct memory of the Nazis is now relatively small and quickly diminishing. 

And those who still live may no longer be able to, or want to, remember. Both of my surviving grandmothers, who were born during the Third Reich, have suffered depression directly attributable to the time in question and never talk about the Hitler years. My parents grew up in broken families, yet they never even thought of leaving their home. As long as I can remember, I had desired to escape Germany as soon as I was old enough. My FMP "Not so good place" is about processing our past and the heritage which shaped my generation. The whole art world, as much else, changed after the war. Therefore I will start my research in postwar art, examining exhibitions at the Breuer house like “Delirious times demand delirious art” that represents social and political unrest. Also artists like Anselm Kiefer, who argues with the past and addresses controversial issues from recent history. I will record my research in the form of a visual documentation and embed my own illustration, photography, short stories, and interviews of contemporary witnesses. The overarching aim is to change the way of processing our history, so that it is more comprehensible for the following generations. 

Dress up the heritage and dress down the memories: These are two pictures taken at similar times of my parents’ youth, a time that traditions and new  lifestyles coexisted. 

Research Sources //

Books: 

Ballard, James Graham (2000) Super-Cannes, Flamingo 

Beuys, Joseph (1980) The Multiples, Jörg Schnellmann

Frank, Anne (1947) Tagebuch der Anne Frank, Lambert-Schneider

Grass, Günther (1961) Katz und Maus, Luchterhand Literaturverlag

Hansen, Dörte (2015) Altes Land, Knaus Verlag 

Orwell, George (1946-1948) 1984, Secker & Warburg

Exhibitions:

Artist Rooms (2008-) Joseph Beuys [exhibition] Tate Modern, London

Deutsches Historisches Museum (2018) Deutsche Geschichte in Bildern und Zeugnissen [exhibition] Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin 

Met Breuer (2017) Delirious [exhibition] Met Breuer, New York 

Met Breuer (2017-) Provocations: Anselm Kiefer at The Met Breuer 

[exhibition] Met Breuer, New York 

Films: 

Brazil (1985) Directed by Terry Gilliam [Film] UK

Eva Hesse (2016) Directed by Marcie Begleiter [Film] USA

Die Blechtrommel (1979) Directed by Volker Schlöndorff [Film] Germany 

Lebensläufe (1980) Joseph Behufs interviewed by Hermann Schreiber 

[Interview] Germany

Schtonk! (1992) Directed by Helmut Dietl [Film] Germany 

Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (2005) Directed by Marc Rothmund [Film]

Germany 

The Lobster (2015) Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos [Film] UK

The Pianist (2002) Directed by Roman Polanski [Film] UK