anachoresis

The book "Anachoresis" by Kerber explores the concept of retreat in art history and its impact on creativity and self-reflection. The term derives from the Greek verb "anachorein," which means "to withdraw." In this context, the practice of retreat is examined both among East Asian artist-scholars and contemporary artists like Joseph Beuys and Tehching Hsieh. The book documents a three-year project in which artists from Germany and Taiwan collaborated in a collective laboratory. It discusses the role of participatory art in today's society and how collective retreats can serve as spaces for communication and exchange. The theoretical essays in the book enhance the dialogical nature of the project and provide deeper insights into the connection between retreat and creative processes.