*Joseph Beuys, Honigpumpe I
»The generation of energy means the production of warmth and hence the link with social sculpture.« Joseph Beuys
In 1977, Beuys created a monumental installation for documenta 6, the international exhibition of contemporary art held every five years in Kassel, Germany. Entitled Honeypump in the Workplace, it pumped two tons of honey through plastic tubing, using motors lubricated with over 200 pounds of margarine. It was in action throughout the 100 days of the exhibition and Beuys intended it to be seen as a metaphorical circulation system, absorbing and distributing the energy generated by the lectures, discussions, and seminars that were happening during the exhibition.
*Joseph Beuys, Honigpumpe II
»With Honey pump I am expressing the principle of the Free International University working in the bloodstream of society. Flowing in and out of the heart organ – the steel honey container – are the main arteries through which the honey is pumped out of the engine room with a pulsing sound, circulates round the Free International University area, and returns to the heart. The whole thing is only complete with people in the space round which the honey artery flows.« Joseph Beuys
My Father I
The Second Italo-Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936.
My Father II
The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire (also known at the time as Abyssinia). The war resulted in the military occupation of Ethiopia.
My Father III
On 5 May 1936, the Italian Marshal Pietro Badoglio moved into the capital of Abyssinia, Addis Ababa. My father was trained as a security officer and had to ensure the safety of the supreme commander.
T.C., photographed by his mother, 1976
The visual language is a system of communication using visual elements.
T.C. Portrait, 1986
Speech as a means of communication cannot strictly be separated from the whole of human communicative activity which includes the visual.
Self Portrait, Drawing 1986
The term Language in relation to vision is an extension of its use to describe the perception, comprehension and production of visible signs.
Self Portrait, Photography 1988
Visual units in the form of lines and marks are constructed into meaningful shapes and structures or signs. Different areas of the cortex respond to different elements such as colour and form.
Self Portrait, Drawing 1987
Perception is not a passive recording of all that is in front of the eyes, but is a continuous judgement of scale and colour relationships.
Self Portrait I, Drawing 1988
The perception of a shape requires the grasping of the essential structural features, to produce a Gestalt.
Self Portrait II, Drawing 1988
Visual perception is what allows us to have a true understanding of experience because perception is identical to thinking.