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Heinrich Kamps or Heinz Kamps was a German painter and director of the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1922, Kamps first presented his work to the public by participating in an exhibition of the artists' association "Das Junge Rheinland". Soon, in 1925, he was already appointed professor at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts, and four years later he took over the management of the State Art School in Berlin-Schöneberg.
During the Nazi "Degenerate Art" campaign in 1937, Kamps' works were confiscated and lost. In 1941 he was forced to leave for Austria and then Poland; in 1943 his Berlin studio was bombed by the Allies and almost all of his early works destroyed.
After the end of World War II, in 1946 Kamps was elected professor and director of the newly opened Düsseldorf Academy of Art, which he directed until his death.
Kurt Schwitters (1887–1948) was a German artist renowned for his multifaceted contributions to modern art, encompassing painting, poetry, graphic design, and installation art. Born in Hanover, Germany, Schwitters developed a unique artistic vision that led to the creation of "Merz," a term he coined to describe his one-of-a-kind approach to art.
The concept of Merz originated from a fragment of the word "Kommerz" (commerce), which Schwitters incorporated into his early collages. This term came to represent his artistic philosophy, characterized by the assemblage of found objects and everyday materials into cohesive compositions. Through Merz, Schwitters sought to blur the boundaries between traditional art forms, integrating elements of Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism.
One of Schwitters' most significant projects was the "Merzbau," an ambitious, evolving installation within his Hanover home. This project began around 1923 and transformed his living space into a labyrinthine structure filled with collages, sculptures, and found objects. The Merzbau was a physical manifestation of his Merz philosophy, embodying the synthesis of art and life. Unfortunately, the original Merzbau was destroyed during a British air raid in 1943.
In addition to his visual art, Schwitters made notable contributions to literature and sound art. His poem "An Anna Blume," published in 1919, is a seminal work that exemplifies his playful use of language and nonsensical style, aligning with the Dada movement's principles. Moreover, his "Ursonate," a sound poem composed between 1922 and 1932, showcases his innovative exploration of phonetic expression and rhythm, pushing the boundaries of traditional poetry.
The rise of the Nazi regime in Germany had a profound impact on Schwitters' life and work. Classified as a "degenerate" artist by the Nazis, he fled to Norway in 1937 to escape persecution. Following the German invasion of Norway in 1940, he sought refuge in the United Kingdom. During his internment at the Hutchinson Internment Camp on the Isle of Man, Schwitters continued to create art, producing over 200 works during his 16 months of confinement.
After his release, Schwitters settled in the Lake District of England, where he embarked on a new Merz construction known as the "Merzbarn." Although he was unable to complete this project due to his death in 1948, the Merzbarn stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to his artistic vision. Today, Kurt Schwitters is celebrated as a pioneer of modern art, whose innovative techniques and ideas have left an indelible mark on the art world.
Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer was a French artist and a leading exponent of fin-de-siècle Symbolism and Art Nouveau. His works include paintings, drawings, ceramics, furniture and interior design.
Siegward Sprotte was a German artist, writer and philosopher.
Originally Siegward Sprotte painted figuratively, including portraits of old masters and drawings. Later he devoted himself more to landscape, up to the ideogram and colourful calligraphy.
Sprotte has written many works on the subjects of art, consciousness and modernity, and is the creator of a new paradigm of "eye-to-eye".
