Bazon Brock

Bazon Brock

Bazon Brock was a prominent German artist, theorist, professor, and curator who left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Germany. He was born in 1930 and passed away in 2017, leaving behind a rich legacy of critical thought and artistic production. Brock was a key figure in the critical regionalism movement of the 1970s, which sought to challenge the hegemony of the international avant-garde and develop artistic production outside of its parameters. He was a guest professor at several universities in Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, and at the Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Frankfurt and Kassel. Brock was a prolific author and his writings spanned a wide range of topics, from art and politics to identity and responsibility. His book Kunst und Politik is considered a seminal work in the field of art theory and his exhibition Bilderstreit (1986-87) was a landmark event that challenged the traditional view of history. Brock was also known for his controversial essay Ich bin wie ich bin (1977), which addressed themes of identity and responsibility, and his 1981 series Battle of the Nations, which reflected on German culpability in World War II. In addition to his work as an artist and theorist, Brock was also a curator and organized several important exhibitions throughout his career. He was the director of the Institute for Cultural Studies at the University of Lüneburg and curated exhibitions at the Kunstverein in Hamburg and the Museum Ludwig in Cologne. Overall, Bazon Brock was a multifaceted figure whose contributions to German cultural history cannot be overstated. His work as an artist, theorist, professor, and curator challenged established norms and opened up new avenues for artistic expression and critical thought.

Bazon Brock, German artist, critical regionalism, art theory, Bilderstreit, identity, responsibility, Battle of the Nations, curator, cultural studies

— Matthew Johnson