Symposium
R.B. Kitaj: Artist from a Fragmented World

A two-day symposium was held alongside the special exhibition "R.B. Kitaj (1932-2007). Obsessions" in October 2012.

View into the Yellow Studio in L.A., 2007
View into the Yellow Studio in L.A., 2007
© R.B. Kitaj Estate, photo: Robert Wedemeyer

The first part of the symposium entitled "R.B. Kitaj and the Heroes of the Modernism" explored Kitaj's innovative artistic contribution as a draftsman, painter, and interpreter of his art.

The second part entitled "Diasporic Art - At Eye Level with Freud and Kafka" considered identity in the modern age, which became a major theme of Kitaj's life and work. In his analysis of his own "Jewishness," he derived the idea and concept of a "Jewish" art from the experience of Diasporic existence.

Some talks were held in English, others in German.

A cooperation with the Berlin Academy of the Arts and the Humboldt University of Berlin.

Program

Thursday 25 October 2012

3 pm: Words of Welcome
3 - 5.45 pm: The Artist
6.15 - 7 pm: Guided Tour/Film about R.B. Kitaj
7.30 pm: Lecture

David N. Myers: Kitaj - Commentary on an Eccentric Jewish Life
Download David N. Myers' talk (PDF, 66 KB)

David N. Myers: Kitaj - Commentary on an Eccentric Jewish Life (in English)


Friday 26 October 2012

10 am - midday: The Tate War
1 - 1.45 pm: Guided Tour/Film about R.B. Kitaj
2 - 4 pm: Diaspora

When: Thursday, 25 October 2012, 3pm - 8.30pm, and Friday, 26 October 2012, 10am - 4pm
Where:
Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstr. 9-14, 10969 Berlin, Old Building, second level, Great Hall
Admission: free

Exhibition Catalog

Obsessions
R.B. Kitaj (1932-2007)

"Obsessions. R.B. Kitaj" - catalog cover

Edited by Cilly Kugelmann, Eckhart Gillen, and Hubertus Gaßner, the exhibition catalog containing numerous illustrations is published by Kerber Verlag.more

Blog

Those interested can find a series of essays by museum colleagues and other authors who write about R.B. Kitaj: www.jmberlin.de/blog-en