Review: 'Oskar Voll' at Benediktiner Stift - Admont

On view until November, the 'Museum für Gegenwartskunst - Stift Admont showed higlights of the Prinzhorn Collection - Heidelberg.

Prinzhorn, who analysed and displayed the works by psychiatrical patients in an art-theoretical discours, collected in a short period from 1919 to 1933 a collection of approx. 5000 drawings, sculptures and paintings. Additionally he published his now world wide known book "Artistry of the Mentally Ill" in 1922, which concentrates on the links between "art brut" and modern art and has been one of the most influential books for Surrealist like Max Ernst, André Breton and the Parisian Scene of the 1930s and 40s. Also it can be seen as one of the precursors of modern art historical- and "art brut"- literature who still functions as an inspiration for artists in todays modern art scene.

For the first time on view outside Germany, the curarted selection of major 'art brut' classics now includes central masterpieces by Else Blankenhorn, Paul Goesch, August Natterer and Oskar Voll, amongst others.

Voll, who is one of the most outstanding artists from the Prinzhorn Collection, created a highly charged body of work which included an obsessive examination of soldiers, military and nights. Being known for helding 'Reichstags talks' at pubs or restaurants, most of his drawings and sketch-books reflect political themes and issues of the early 19th century. In a narrative format Volls drawings also seem to recall the early decades of silent film and echo German military traditions and correctness by portraying side views of uniformed static men.

Further information & audiopodcast accompanying the show

Captions:
OSKAR VOLL untitled, OV001, double-sided, pencil on paper 20.5 x 26.5 cm