Joseph Beuys: Honey Is Flowing In All Directions
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Photography & Video
Joseph Beuys: Honey Is Flowing In All Directions Details
On January 9th, 1974, Joseph Beuys travelled to America for the very first time in his life. His trip was meticulously planned, with an art/performance scheduled in between each airplane, taxi and hotel, at prominent universities and galleries. Each venture in the New World was documented in these photographs. Single shots, sequences and photo-novels were produced, in addition to film stills and the movies Dillinger and The Dead Eyes of London. Beuys himself put together the layout for this book just before he died in October 1985. This unique travel report, which lay unpublished for over 20 years, is now presented in the exact format intended by Beuys.
Reviews
'Honey is flowing in all Directions' is an important historical document. It covers one of the most inventive and evocative works Joseph Beuys made for the Documenta exhibition 6 in Kassel, Germany in 1977. The Documenta is the world's foremost art manifestation, which happens every five years. This book can be perceived as a case study about the way Joseph Beuys thought and worked. The photographs in the book are made by Gerhard Steidl, the 'house photographer' of several Documenta's. Klaus Staeck, one of the foremost publishers and distributors of art books and special editions in Germany, published this book. It's a beautiful and inspiring publication that should be on every modern art lover's book shelf. Beuys' 'Honigpumpe am Arbeitsplatz', an installation in the central staircase at the Museum Fridericianum during Documenta 6 was a milestone. A large electrical pump squeezed fluid honey through a circuit of transparent tubes going up and down the staircase and entering adjacent spaces. The Honey Pump represented an Industry both of Vision and Discourse: Beuys' installation was physically and spiritually connected to a space behind the staircase where daily discussions took place. They were organized by the Free International College for Creativity and Interdisciplinary Research, an organization founded by Beuys. Its evocative power and intelligent social interface makes Honigpumpe am Arbeitsplatz a hallmark in the history of twentieth century art.