Exhibitions in Düsseldorf and Berlin
Phenomenon Zangs
Zangs
Ohne Titel (Knüpfung), 1953
Mixed media, corks knitted in cotton cloth with threads, whitened 140 x 100 cm (55.1 x 39.3 in)
Berlin, 12 July 2016 (kk) - Enigmatic genius, legendary eccentric and an uncompromising avant-gardist - that's Herbert Zangs. Ketterer Kunst shows a selection of works from his decisive early years in context of a traveling exhibition with stops in Düsseldorf and Berlin as of 2 September 2016.

The focus of the 37 works in the exhibition is on a characterization of Herbert Zangs, the art scene's "enfant terrible", as a pioneer of experimental post-war art, as innovator and unrecognized genius. Whether ZERO or art from Beuys to Manzoni - Zangs had anticipated many art trends with an amazing preciseness. In fact, he was and still is a case for adepts.

This is little surprising, because Herbert Zangs, born in Krefeld, Germany in 1924, served as a pilot in World War II for four years and attended the Düsseldorf Art Academy for another four years after the war. He was known as a passionately blustering character, excessive, egocentric and absolutely uncompromising.

Zangs often worked like in a state of ecstasy, however, whenever he should have been present in person in order to obtain commissions, he often just disappeared. To him freedom and independence always came first. It probably is this absolutely uncompromising attitude, as well as the fact that the impressive primal power reveals a highly sensitive character, a calm, melancholic and almost poetic artist, that makes his art so special. His famous "Verweißungen" (Whitenings), his relief paintings and the folded and knitted objects show an artist characterized by an elemental force and a subtle, hidden sensitivity at the same time.

"I am very happy about the generous loans that enabled us to compile this impressive exhibition of high-quality works from Herbert Zangs' best period of creation and to illustrate the pioneering role of the wayward exceptional artist“, says Robert Ketterer, owner and managing director of Ketterer Kunst.

On occasion of the exhibition "Herbert Zangs - Frühe Arbeiten" (Herbert Zangs - Early Works) Prof. Dr. Erich Franz, honorary professor at the Art Academy in Münster, will be delivering the opening speech on 2 September in Düsseldorf and on 7 October in Berlin. The exhibition catalog with the title "Bild als Energiezustand" (Image as Energy State) also offers a knowledgeable examination of Herbert Zangs' early period of creation.

Zangs
Ohne Titel (Scheibenwischer-Reihung), 1957
Acrylic on board
74 x 100 cm (29.1 x 39.3 in)
Zangs
Ohne Titel (Faltung), 1953
Mixed media. Dispersion paint and folded packing paper
116 x 135 cm (45.6 x 53.1in)

What ? Exhibition of around 40 works by Herbert Zangs from the 1950s
Where and when ? 2 - 30 September
Ketterer Kunst, Malkastenstr. 11, 40211 Düsseldorf
opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am - 5pm
 8 - 29 October
Ketterer Kunst, Fasanenstr. 70,  10719 Berlin-Charlottenburg
opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 11am - 4pm
Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has become established as one of Germany's biggest auction houses dealing in Fine Art and Rare Books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Representative offices in Berlin, Heidelberg, Dusseldorf, as well as in Modena (Italy) and Los Angeles (USA) have substantially contributed to the company's success. In addition, exhibitions, special thematic and charity auctions, as well as monthly online auctions at www.ketterer-internet-auction.com are regular events at Ketterer Kunst. Robert Ketterer is owner and CEO of Ketterer Kunst.

Press inquiries:  
Michaela Derra
Ketterer Kunst
phone: +49-(0)89-55244-152
Joseph-Wild-Str. 18fax: +49-(0)89-55244-177
81829 Munich            e-mail: m.derra@kettererkunst.de
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Ketterer Kunstphone: +49-(0)211-36 7794-60
Malkastenstr. 11fax: +49-(0)211-36 7794-62
40211 Düsseldorf    e-mail: infoduesseldorf@kettererkunst.de
  
Ketterer Kunstphone: +49-(0)30-886 75 363
Fasanenstr. 70fax: +49-(0)30-886 75 643
10719 Berlin-Charlottenburge-mail: infoberlin@kettererkunst.de