Parallel to the large ZERO exhibition in the Martin-Gropius-Bau, we are dedicating our second exhibition in the new rooms at Fasanenstraße 27 to an avant-garde artist who was an integral figure in the ZERO movement: Hermann Goepfert.
Hermann Goepfert is associated in particular with his early monochrome white paintings, his reflectors, shiny, haptic, kinetic wall works made of silvery metal sheets, or his sounding light-sound machines called Optophonium. The ZERO artist (1926-1982), who worked mainly in Frankfurt am Main, was the person who most strongly advocated the integration of art and architecture within the ZERO movement and was an extremely active figure in the post-war art scene: he had close friendships with Piero Manzoni, Jef Verheyen and Lucio Fontana. Goepfert was involved in important exhibitions of ZERO artists.
In 1964 Hermann Goepfert took part in documenta III; his works were shown in the famous "Light and Movement" section, which provided a platform for pioneering new trends in art.
Thanks to the kind support of the artist's estate, it has been possible to bring the effect of the light-kinetic documenta space back to life. In addition to a later Optophonium, we are showing two aluminium reflectors that Goepfert presented at the 1964 documenta.
We are delighted to be able to present an overview of Goepfert's work from the 1960s and 1970s in this exhibition. Around twenty works will be presented, including some works on loan as well as works for sale, which illustrate his vision of the representation of light in the visual arts. At the same time, a comprehensive Goepfert monograph by Beate Kemfert will be published by Hatje Cantz Verlag, which we will present exclusively in our rooms on 20 March.
The exhibition is being organised in collaboration with the Hermann Goepfert Estate.
Daniel von Schacky