Villepin Gallery will present a solo exhibition titled “Anselm Kiefer: The Golden Age” by the renowned contemporary German master Anselm Kiefer this month. Based on the deep friendship established between the gallery’s two founders and Kiefer over the years, this special exhibition aims to delve into the artistic creations of the contemporary maestro. The exhibition will showcase Kiefer’s art inspired by the “Golden Age” in ancient Greek mythology, featuring large-scale installation artworks and multiple paintings created by the artist from 2020 to 2022.
The title of this exhibition, “Anselm Kiefer: The Golden Age,” is derived from ancient Greek history and mythology, symbolizing the pinnacle of human civilization and the prosperous and peaceful period of the beginning. Kiefer has extensively studied German philosopher and cultural critic Ernst Bloch, particularly the latter’s core ideas and academic research on utopia.
In the book “The Principle of Hope,” Bloch explores the concept of the Golden Age as a utopian idea and defines the concept of utopia as a philosophy that imagines a better future for humanity. Bloch believes that hope and striving for a better world are fundamental to human existence; this utopian impulse also drives people to create art, music, and literature. Within the three-story gallery, the artist’s works allude to utopian ideals and capture the transformative essence through each series of works, resembling the process of alchemy.
The exhibition will showcase Kiefer’s series of works “Solvent Million” and “To Segantini”, both depicting mountain imagery; this recurring theme can be interpreted as a metaphor for utopian ideals. Like most of Kiefer’s works, the inspiration for these two pieces comes from his favorite poets and verses, as well as myths and legends from different cultures around the world.
His works are inspired by layered and original materials, including gold leaf, lead, oil, acrylic, soil, and sediment, among others, continuously innovating materials and themes. Another recurring theme in this exhibition is bicycles and wheels, symbolizing the ideas of Renaissance and cyclical change.
In addition to showcasing works, the gallery also offers art salons, themed lectures, guided tours, and educational materials during the exhibition period. If you want to have a deeper understanding of this contemporary art master, remember to seize the opportunity to visit the exhibition.
“Anselm Kiefer: The Golden Age”
Date: May 19, 2023 to September 2023
Time: Sunday to Wednesday | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (by appointment only); Thursday to Saturday | 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (open to the public)
Location: Villepin Gallery, 53-55 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, Ground to Second Floor
Image source and learn more: Villepin Gallery
