Tomas Schmit Retrospective

About

Tomas Schmit. Pieces, Actions, Documents 1962–1970
Curators: Marius Babias, Krisztina Hunya
Neuer Berliner Kunstverein

With interpretations and performances by Peter Brötzmann, Nina Canell, Harun Farocki, Mediengruppe Bitnik, Hajnal Németh, Alexandra Pirici, Gerhard Rühm, a.o.

Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (n.b.k.) offers particular insight into the early work of Tomas Schmit, including his actions, texts, and drawings. Despite being considered one of the pioneers of the Fluxus movement, his early work has received little attention. The exhibition project at n.b.k. aims to close this gap by presenting pieces by the artist that have never before been shown in their entirety and which defined the early phase of his work. This includes numerous original scores by Schmitt, which will be exhibited for the first time and performed by performers. In order to reflect the genre-transcending character of his artistic work beyond the exhibition context, formats have been developed in close collaboration with contemporary artists and some of Schmitt’s contemporaries, which invite visitors to take part in actions both inside and outside the actual exhibition. Interpretations and performances that were created in response to Schmit’s Fluxus pieces will also be shown, including by Peter Brötzmann, Nina Canell, Harun Farocki, Mediengruppe Bitnik, Hajnal Németh, Alexandra Pirici, Gerhard Rühm, and more. This will also bring renewed attention to a central theme of the Fluxus movement: the influence of artistic activities on everyday life. The theses formulated by the Fluxus movement on the connection between art and life gave rise to diverse interdisciplinary approaches that paved the way for numerous forms of artistic expression established today, above all performative and collective practices.