Hermann Nitsch. Gesamt/Kunst/Werk
First solo exhibition in Lithuania
The Stasys Museum in Panevėžys in the heart of Lithuania is more than just a museum. It is a monumental home for the multifaceted work of Lithuanian artist Stasys Eidrigevičius, but also a modern space for current and new generations of talent, art, ideas and creativity from all over the world. It is intended to become a vibrant center of culture in Panevėžys, building international bridges and promoting multicultural artistic dialogue.
As the first exhibition by a guest artist, the Stasys Museum will present an introduction to Hermann Nitsch’s Gesamtkunstwerk from November 29, 2024. On display will be an exquisite selection of early action paintings, relics and photographs from private collections such as diethARdT collection, THP Privatstiftung, Gerhard Sommer, Rudolf Kratochwill and the Nitsch Foundation. The exhibition will be complemented by the film “Scenes from the Life of Hermann Nitsch” by Nitsch’s long-time friend Jonas Mekas.
The title of the exhibition, “Gesamtkunstwerk”, is a term that refers to the endeavor to dissolve the boundaries between art forms; it expresses how several art forms can be brought together in a single, unified work. The Gesamtkunstwerk is primarily associated with the German composer Richard Wagner, who used it to describe his vision of opera as a synthesis of all art forms, made up of music, poetry, drama and theatrical art. Hermann Nitsch believed that Greek tragedy embodied this harmony – the unification of art forms. In his own main work, the Orgien Mysterien Theater, Nitsch strove to realize a Gesamtkunstwerk with his own artistic practice.
The exhibition was curated by Lina Albrikienė in collaboration with Roman Grabner.