Wolfgang Storch

The highly debated work of Joseph Beuys is one of the most influential of the 20th century. His creative richness encompasses artistic, philosophical, and political aspects. The records, conversations, and lectures of Joseph Beuys are as integral to his work as his drawings, installations, and actions. His artistic work confronts us with puzzles that question humanity. By breaking these down, he seeks to provoke a way of thinking that transforms into intuition. This unleashes creative forces, an inner freedom through which individuals can influence the transformation of society: "The only revolutionary force is the force of human creativity." This transformation is the task that Beuys has set with his expanded concept of art. The chronology of this collection begins with records from 1961, when Beuys became a professor at the art academy. It continues with conversations that reflect the political struggles of the sixties and seventies and provide answers to his works. With Beuys' instinct for engaging with others, the conversations become actions and maintain their relevance through their liveliness and provocation. This volume is published on the occasion of Joseph Beuys' 100th birthday on May 12, 2021.