Modern Art & Politics in Germany - MIA

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is such an amazing place. It has a great collection of art work and artifacts from around the world, it always has at least one gallery of MN Artists work, and typically has a larger exhibit that changes every couple months. I first started going when I was in college - initially as part of an art class, but later when when a tour of Impressionist paintings came through. I saw that exhibit twice and it was gorgeous. Since then I consistently return to see some of my favorite pieces, see what new works they may have brought out of the archives, as well as checking out their gift shop. This past week I went to see the featured exhibit "Modern Art and Politics in Germany: 1910-1945." The works are mainly from the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, and it is a really interesting exhibit. It clearly lays out the timeline of German history from pre-World War I through World War II and the demise of Hitler on placards outside the exhibit. Once you enter, every room has a placard explaining what the timeframe is for the pieces in that room, as well as where we are in the history of art. Art went through major changes due to the Great War. All art. Think of the art created due to the experience of the war, or in response to it - the music, the poetry, the writings, the work of Brecht and so many others. The way art changes and grows is so fascinating, and this exhibit really focused on telling that story, and how in Germany specifically the changes were somewhat forced by the politics of the time. Taken briefly from this site, you can see how 1850 is the start of Realism and Impressionism, which moves to Symbolism and Post-Impressionistm around 1886, which leads to the rise of Art Nouveau and Expressionism (which is about the expression of the artist) in 1890, than 1906 starts Cubism, 1909 is Futurism, 1912 is Dadaism (life is nonsense), Constructivism in 1913, to Surrealism in 1920, to New Objectivity in 1925. This exhibit shows how the German art during the time period reflected the changes in art, but was also forced into some changes due to politics. I read a lot of the placards to place the art in the time period, but I regret not taking enough time with each work to really process it. That being written, the experience was a good one, and the exhibit was wonderful. It also made me want to rewatch the fantastic German TV series Bablyon Berlin. If you have never been to MIA, you should go. Take a look at their usual work, but don't miss this exhibit. It is really interesting, if you check their website, they have great resources as well - like this one for teachers. 

Now, one reason I went to the exhibit when I did was because on Saturday, June 20, John Cameron Mitchell was scheduled to do a talk about two artists - Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, two Surrealist artists who were also life long partners. These two artists are the subject of a new work by Mitchell named LSM. He talked about the artists, their story, his experience researching them, showed numerous photos of them and their work, as well as reading some of the script. At one point he needed help reading a scene and so he called up his friend Alan Cumming...who just happened to be in town for a talk at the Walker for his film Sweetland. Mitchell was in town for his film Hedwig and the Angry Inch - doing a 25 year showing and talk at the Parkway...which Alan was at as well. Wow, what an absolute joy to see these two play off each other doing a short scene where the two artists meet.

While it seemed that Mitchell has notes written down, it also felt like he was just sharing his knowledge of these two artists and the work they did. He placed them squarely in history, which happened to be at the same time as the works in the exhibit. Fascinating artists, fascinating art, and a fascinating talk. It was a joy to listen to someone who knows history, and wants to share his lived and learned experiences, while also providing a greater perspective on these two artists, their art, and how art and politics intertwine.