ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Anselm Kiefer on His Violent Aesthetic and German History

artist · 2026-04-23

Anselm Kiefer, perhaps the most famous contemporary German artist, grants a rare interview in which he addresses the incomprehension surrounding his violent and melancholic aesthetic, which is dedicated to German history. Known for his discretion and reluctance to give interviews, Kiefer discusses his work and its reception.

Key facts

  • Anselm Kiefer is a contemporary German artist.
  • He is known for a violent and melancholic aesthetic.
  • His work is dedicated to German history.
  • He rarely gives interviews.
  • This interview was published in artpress.
  • The interview was conducted in 1996.
  • The title of the interview is 'Cette obscure clarté qui tombe des étoiles'.

Entities

Artists

  • Anselm Kiefer

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources