1978 London Exhibitions of Weimar and Contemporary Berlin Art Spark Debate on State Cultural Subsidies
In late 1978, exhibitions showcasing German art, including the Weimar-era Neue Sachlichkeit movement and contemporary works from West Berlin, took place in London. Arts Review critic Pat Gilmour highlighted the political and financial dynamics influencing these events. The ICA, under Sarah Kent's curation, and the Whitechapel Gallery, led by Nicholas Serota, clashed over funding and artistic choices. Serota asserted that his proposal featuring 11 avant-garde artists was abandoned due to a political change. Consequently, a 'Critical Realist' exhibition was presented, with the ICA receiving £45,000 while Whitechapel's funding request was rejected. Both exhibitions were financed by the German government. Significant works were also displayed at the Hayward Gallery and Annely Juda Fine Art, prompting Gilmour to question the political ramifications of Arts Council support.
Key facts
- Exhibitions of German art from Weimar era and contemporary West Berlin were held in London in late 1978.
- Arts Review critic Pat Gilmour analyzed the political and financial backing behind the shows.
- A dispute arose between Whitechapel Gallery director Nicholas Serota and ICA curator Sarah Kent over funding and artist selection.
- Serota claimed his original exhibition plan was replaced by a prepackaged 'Critical Realist' show funded by German sources.
- The ICA received £45,000; the Whitechapel was denied support from the Berlin Senate.
- Artist Johannes Grützke was at the center of a controversy over his participation in both exhibitions.
- Funding came from German state bodies like Berliner Festspiele, Goethe Institute, and Notgemeinschaft.
- Gilmour argued state cultural subsidies can co-opt critical art to legitimize political power.
Entities
Artists
- Pat Gilmour
- Nicholas Serota
- Sarah Kent
- Johannes Grützke
- Eckhart Gillen
- René Block
- Hannah Höch
- Johannes Baader
- Raoul Hausmann
- George Grosz
- Gunter Brus
- Ludwig Gosewitz
- Tomas Schmidt
- Bernd Koberling
- Markus Lüpertz
- K.H. Hödicke
- Hermann Albert
- Maina Miriam Munsky
- Klaus Sorge
- Wolf Vostell
- Dieter Hacker
- Andreas Seltzer
- Stuart Brisley
- Otto Dix
- Max Beckmann
- Christian Schad
- Jeanne Mammen
- Frank Whitford
- Lucian Freud
- Piet Mondrian
- Frau Ey
- Herr Krall
- von Lücken
Institutions
- Arts Review
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
- Hayward Gallery
- Annely Juda Fine Art
- Berlin Senate
- Berliner Festspiele
- Goethe Institute
- Notgemeinschaft
- Arts Council
- Hochschule
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- West Berlin
- Germany
- Tottenham Mews
- E1