Anselm Kiefer's monumental paintings loom large over the expansive galleries at the Saint Louis Art Museum, each one a dense tapestry of materials and meaning. The 12x36 foot canvases are so massive that they weigh over 1.3 tons – the product of years of meticulous crafting by the artist. A medley of tar, melted lead, steel, poems, myths, history, literature and names, these paintings demand close attention.
The exhibition's curator, Min Jung Kim, has skillfully leveraged the museum's grand spaces to create an immersive experience for viewers. Minimal labels and a natural light-filled atmosphere allow visitors to stand back or step in close to unravel the secrets hidden within each work. The layers of meaning embedded in these paintings can be both captivating and overwhelming.
Born in Germany at the end of World War II, Kiefer grew up amidst rubble and destruction – an experience that informs his alchemical approach to art-making. Using metal and organic materials, he transmutes them into profound works of gravity. His latest exhibition, "Becoming the Sea," is a testament to this artistic philosophy.
The monumental Sculpture Hall houses five site-specific paintings created by Kiefer using a wide range of materials, including emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf and even sediment from electrolysis on canvas. The colors are vivid – achieved through an innovative process where copper oxidizes in the presence of saltwater, producing a luminous green.
The works are not merely aesthetically striking but also conceptually rich, with references to history, literature, poetry, and mythology woven throughout each piece. A highlight of the exhibition is "For Gregory Corso," inspired by the Beat poet's lines "unafraid / of becoming / the sea."
Throughout the galleries, other artworks – including six sculptures honoring women in history and a stunning map-like landscape with labeled rivers above dark fortress-like structures – showcase Kiefer's boundless creativity. His latest exhibition is a masterclass in art-making, thought-provoking, and visually stunning – an unforgettable experience for anyone fortunate enough to witness it.
As the artist continues to push boundaries at 80 years old, "Becoming the Sea" stands as a shining example of Kiefer's enduring commitment to his artistic vision.
The exhibition's curator, Min Jung Kim, has skillfully leveraged the museum's grand spaces to create an immersive experience for viewers. Minimal labels and a natural light-filled atmosphere allow visitors to stand back or step in close to unravel the secrets hidden within each work. The layers of meaning embedded in these paintings can be both captivating and overwhelming.
Born in Germany at the end of World War II, Kiefer grew up amidst rubble and destruction – an experience that informs his alchemical approach to art-making. Using metal and organic materials, he transmutes them into profound works of gravity. His latest exhibition, "Becoming the Sea," is a testament to this artistic philosophy.
The monumental Sculpture Hall houses five site-specific paintings created by Kiefer using a wide range of materials, including emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf and even sediment from electrolysis on canvas. The colors are vivid – achieved through an innovative process where copper oxidizes in the presence of saltwater, producing a luminous green.
The works are not merely aesthetically striking but also conceptually rich, with references to history, literature, poetry, and mythology woven throughout each piece. A highlight of the exhibition is "For Gregory Corso," inspired by the Beat poet's lines "unafraid / of becoming / the sea."
Throughout the galleries, other artworks – including six sculptures honoring women in history and a stunning map-like landscape with labeled rivers above dark fortress-like structures – showcase Kiefer's boundless creativity. His latest exhibition is a masterclass in art-making, thought-provoking, and visually stunning – an unforgettable experience for anyone fortunate enough to witness it.
As the artist continues to push boundaries at 80 years old, "Becoming the Sea" stands as a shining example of Kiefer's enduring commitment to his artistic vision.
! The way he weaves history, literature, and mythology into his massive paintings is like trying to unravel a treasure map 
. I mean, who wouldn't be captivated by the sheer scale of these 12x36 foot canvases, weighing over a ton each? 
It's like walking into a dream world where art meets philosophy.
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. His commitment to his artistic vision is inspiring, and it's clear that he's not afraid to take risks. "Becoming the Sea" is more than just an exhibition; it's an immersive experience that will leave you changed forever 
. I mean, who knew that tar and lead could be so poetic? 
The way the curator has set up the exhibit is genius too - all those natural light-filled spaces just make you want to dive in and explore every layer of meaning 
. And can we talk about the sculpture hall? Five paintings made from totally different materials... it's like Kiefer is alchemy-ing his way through art history 
. The way he references history, literature, and mythology is so fascinating - I loved seeing those Beat poet lines in "For Gregory Corso" 
. All in all, this exhibit is a must-see for anyone who loves art 
. I mean, can you even believe the guy's been creating art since he was a teenager? 
He's still pushing boundaries at 80 and it's so inspiring 
. And those colors?! 
He's truly mastered the art of alchemy with his materials and techniques 
. If you haven't checked out "Becoming the Sea" yet, you need to ASAP! 
. But honestly, I'd rather look at some calm, serene landscape than get bombarded with all this... stuff 
. The way he combines metal and organic materials is just magic 
. And have you seen the sculpture hall? Five massive site-specific paintings that are literally glowing with this luminous green light... it's like stepping into another world 
. I mean, can't we do better than this? The thought of those massive canvases by Anselm Kiefer is just a nice distraction from the fact that our planet is literally drowning in trash. And don't even get me started on the copper oxidation process – sounds like a lot of effort to achieve something as devastating as pollution 
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. If you get the chance to see "Becoming the Sea", don't hesitate - it's an unforgettable experience 
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Anselm Kiefer's paintings aren't just massive canvases with random materials thrown in - they're actually super layered and meaning-rich, which is why the exhibition is so immersive and thought-provoking 
. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy's work, but let's give credit where credit is due - these paintings aren't just some random collection of materials, they're a carefully crafted masterpiece 
. I love how Kiefer uses copper oxidation to create this luminous green – it's like nothing I've ever seen before 
. His use of copper oxidizing in saltwater to create that luminous green is pure magic 
His use of industrial materials like tar and lead is genius 
plus its amazing that this guy's still crushin' at 80 
his art is like a reflection of his own life experience growin' up in germany after ww2, and how he takes these heavy themes & transforms 'em into somethin' beautiful & thought-provoking