Ann Cotten

Gerhard Richter is one of the most famous painters of our time, worldwide. His fascinating visual spheres are characterized by a unique originality and quality, in which the abstract and the figural intertwine and permeate each other. This extensive volume of pictures concentrates entirely upon the theme of landscape in Richter’s oeuvre. Through this genre, to which Richter has remained loyal for more than sixty years, it is possible to see more than a development in the artist’s painting style. There is also a perceptible, genuine independence in many of the works, which makes him one of the most remarkable artists of our day. This book adds to the understanding of the significance and pictorial essence of Richter’s art, opening up current insights into the theme of nature and landscape in the twenty-first century.

For three months Biel, Switzerland, hosted a special kind of sculpture. It was special not simply because it was by one of Switzerland’s most famous contemporary artists—Thomas Hirschhorn—and dedicated to one of the most prominent authors in the history of Swiss literature, Robert Walser. Beyond that, this sculpture was a redefinition of sculpture itself, because what takes on a plastic form here is not made of stone, steel, or bronze. It is society itself that helped to develop this work of art. In 2016 Thomas Hirschhorn and the curator Kathleen Bühler began doing field research in Biel, the city of Robert Walser’s birth, connecting with residents, clubs, artists, literati, and experts. This resulted in a multifaceted agenda. Every day the two offered events such as readings, walking tours, lectures, and children’s activities. All of this ultimately comprised the Robert Walser-Sculpture. Never before has an entire city been integrated into a temporary work of art in this way.

Mit wenig Assoziationen beschwert; künstlich, neu oder nur vorübergehend im Sprachgebrauch - Fremdwörter scheinen sich für ihre Existenz zu entschuldigen: "Ich erfülle hier nur Begriffsfunktion, habe einen Arbeitsplatz inne, für den es im Moment keinen qualifizierten Deutschen gibt." Können sie das ernst meinen? Ann Cotten baut sie in die ratternden Denkmaschinen ihrer Gedichte ein: jugendliches Ungestüm im sonettischen Gewand, das klipp und klar Gedachte, die Liebe mit ihren Rückkopplungen. Pete Doherty, Patti Smith und Sappho geistern mit unbekannten DJs und freundlichen Allegorien durch die nächtlichen Verse und wachen am anderen Tag in einem Sprachsubstrat auf, das ihnen ganz fremd vorkommen muß.