Gustav Metzger. History History

Gustav Metzger (1926 Nuremberg, DE–2017 London, UK) pursued a pointedly radical and revolutionary approach to art since the early 1960s. His artistic production is firmly rooted in the political, economic, and ecological issues of the time. In his manifestos and demonstrations, he reacted to the massive threat posed by the nuclear arms race and increasing environmental destruction. In his aesthetic concept of “Autodestructive Art”, intended as an attack on the capitalist system and the art world in particular, he addressed the destructive potential of the twentieth-century.

This monograph offers the first comprehensive overview of the artist’s complete oeuvre. Included are also his more recent works such as his Historic Photographs series, which are directly related to the biography of Holocaust survivor Gustav Metzger. A richly illustrated chronology places the artist’s activities in the historical and political context of their origin. For the first time, tribute is paid to Metzger not only as an artist, but also as an activist.

The volume was published to accompany the 2005 exhibition of the same name at the Generali Foundation in Vienna.