Sigmar Polke: Die Vervielfältigung des Humors

Orbits

Sigmar Polke's oeuvre comprises around 200 editions from 1963 to 2009, and the Ciesielski Collection is the only one in the world to bring them together in their entirety. The book accompanying the exhibition of this collection and its juxtaposition with works from the Lambrecht-Schadeberg Collection at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen is primarily intended to enable an intensive examination of individual, outstanding editions of the 11th Rubens Prize winner of the city of Siegen (2007) by a younger generation of writers, but also by intimate connoisseurs and companions. The authors take the exciting risk of formulating new approaches to the work of the ambiguously ironic grand master.
With his sheets, portfolios, books, photographs and objects, Sigmar Polke opened up completely new paths for art in the 20th century through surprising themes and experimental techniques. The editions also drew on his painting in order to return to it on the one hand, but also to develop completely unique media aspects - it should almost be said: a life of their own. What is special about Sigmar Polke's editions, however, is that his camouflage-like principle of blurring is also fully realised in their content. Here he realised reportage-like and socially critical photos and placed them alongside his colourful, serial prints with everyday motifs, his mix of styles on simple decorative fabrics, known as "German Pop". His critical attitude towards media and culture was particularly evident in his multiples when he worked with historical engravings or optical devices or even simulated magical procedures.

Exhibition:
Museum of Contemporary Art Siegen, 16/3-23/6/2013
les Abatoirs, Toulouse, 31/1-4/5/2013