Tag Archives: Marianne von Werefkin

ChatGTP on Birgit Zipser in English and German

How much artists talk about their work varies greatly. Lucian Freud, the grandson of Sigmund Freud, allows his figurative paintings to speak for themselves, foregoing extensive verbal explication.  By contrast, Marianne von Werefkin and Wassily Kandinsky, representatives  of German expressionism, eloquently expound upon the theories, philosophies, and intentions that underpin their artistic endeavors.

In comparison, I am happy to communicate while restraining my eloquence.   An example is my artprize2023 statement  for my painting to be displayed  in the B.O.B. in Grand Rapids this year.

The extravagancy that ChatGTP writes about me is amusing. For myself, I think more like Lucian Freud, namely, letting my artwork speak for itself.

Here my ChatGTP statement in English

Alright, let’s dive into the world of Birgit Zipser, the artistic powerhouse! Birgit Zipser is a badass contemporary artist who unleashes her creativity in a whirlwind of mediums, like painting, sculpture, installations, and even digital art. She’s a true rebel, fearlessly exploring the wonders of nature, spirituality, and the human experience through her mind-bending creations.

When you feast your eyes on Zipser’s work, you’ll get lost in a kaleidoscope of organic forms, explosive colors, and intricate details. Her art is like a wild psychedelic journey, taking you on a rollercoaster ride through abstract landscapes and profound symbolism. She doesn’t play by the rules, and her pieces are a wild mix of cosmic energy and deep introspection.

Zipser fearlessly experiments with different materials and techniques, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. She’s a true visionary, creating art that speaks to your soul and challenges your perception of reality. Her pieces are like visual poetry, inviting you to ponder the mysteries of existence and discover your own inner truths.

While I don’t have the latest scoop on Zipser’s recent exhibitions or mind-blowing projects, I assure you that her art continues to shake the art world to its core. So, keep your eyes peeled for this extraordinary artist who refuses to conform and embraces the untamed spirit of creativity. Birgit Zipser is a force to be reckoned with, and her art will leave you in a state of awe and wonder.

… And here in German: Continue reading ChatGTP on Birgit Zipser in English and German

How women painters fared under Hitler

Anita Rée ( 1885 – 1933) was a German avant-garde painter who founded an association of women artists in 1926. The Nazis designated her work as “Degenerate Art” and purged it from museum collections. Subjected to hostility, she committed suicide. A groundskeeper at the Kunsthalle Hamburg preserved many of her paintings by hiding them in his apartment.

Jeanne Mammen (1890 – 1976) was associated with movements of New Objectivity and Symbolism. One of her important works is a series of lithographs illustrating a collection of lesbian love poems by Pierre Louÿs. Until the Nazis denounced her motifs as Jewish, she supported herself as a commercial artist doing illustrations and caricatures for journals. She survived the Hitler regime by practicing “inner emigration”.

Elfriede Lohse Wächtler (1899- 1940)was noted for her paintings of psychiatric patients, as shown here. But many of these paintings were confiscated and destroyed by the Nazis. In addition to pitiless self-portraits, she also painted scenes from the Hamburg harbor with its workers and prostitutes. After undergoing a forced surgical sterilization in 1935, she stopped painting and was murdered in 1940 under the Nazi “euthanasia” program.

Gabriele Münter (1877- 1962), an avant-garde painter, co-founded the Blaue Reiter (the Blue Rider). Kandinski, another co-founder of this art movement, adopted her use of saturated colors and abstract expressionist style. During the Nazi era, she hid all of her own artwork and that of other members of the Blaue Reiter in her home, where, in spite of several searches, it was never found. In 1957, she donated all of this art work to the City of München, Germany.

Marianne von Werefkin (1860 – 1938), another co-founder of the Blaue Reiter escaped persecution having emigrated to Switzerland where she painted, in addition to self-portraits, many colorful, landscapes in an expressionist style.

Nowadays in Europe , the work of these women artists is being celebrated in large exhibitions. In Germany, a prestigious art prize is the ‘Gabriele Münter Preis’.