An Exhibition Talk by Antje von Graevenitz

Antje von Graevenitz, an expert on the history of modern and contemporary art, will present her latest research on Joseph Beuys’ 1972 performance ‘Boxkampf für die direkte Demokratie’ (Boxing Match for Direct Democracy), looking into Beuys' political ideas and how these were embodied in his collaborative event, the boxing match.

The talk will take place in Waddington Custot’s forthcoming exhibition which puts in context Joseph Beuys’ 1972 sculpture ‘Boxkampf für die direkte Demokratie’. The large, horizontal vitrine houses the two original pairs of boxing gloves, protective helmet and the boxing ring ropes from Beuys’ conceptual ‘farewell action’ at documenta 5, a boxing match between Joseph Beuys (1921–1986) and Abraham David Christian (b.1952). This work will be exhibited in conjunction with the debut UK presentation of the re-mastered archive footage of the boxing match.

Antje von Graevenitz taught at the University of Amsterdam (as lecturer 1977–1989) and Cologne (as Professor 1989–2005). Her research has mainly focused on ephemeral art (performance and Fluxus) and interdisciplinary and anthropological topics (art in relation to rites of passage, philosophy, music, theatre or dance).  She has written publications on Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Beuys and Nam June Paik. She has worked as part of the editorial teams of Museumjournaal, Vrij Nederland, Kunstschrift OKB, Wonen TABK, Archis and the Wallraf-Richartz Jahrbuch. As cultural advisor she worked for both the Dutch government and the municipality of Amsterdam. Furthermore, she functioned as a member of the board for Stichting De Appel in Amsterdam, the Academy of Art in Arnhem, Stichting Stamina in Amsterdam, as chairwoman of the board of  the Art Collection of Groningen and as the president of the Dutch section of the AICA. She also was engaged as scientific advisor of the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam, the Institute of Modern Art in Nürnberg, the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein in Vaduz and in the Central Archive of the International Art Market (ZADIK) in Cologne. In 1993, she was a member of the selection-committee for the chief-curator of documenta 10 in Kassel.

Admission is free but limited space, please RSVP: mail@waddingtoncustot.com