Exhibition
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Curator: Rudi Fuchs The LUSTSPIEL exhibition, showing new works by Georg Baselitz (*1938) and Arnulf Rainer (*1929) at the Arnulf Rainer Museum, in the classical architectural setting of the former Frauenbad thermal bath in Baden near Vienna, is certain to be a special event. Following the revelation several years ago by the painter – possibly in an interview with Rainer himself – that he was an admirer of Arnulf Rainer’s work, Georg Baselitz was invited to put together an exhibition in conjunction with Rainer’s art in the new museum dedicated to the latter artist. The curator for the exhibition, Dutch art historian Rudi Fuchs, has had a specialist interest in the work of both artists for many years. Fuchs decided to stage the exhibition, which takes place in the historical surroundings of the Frauenbad, as a relaxed and informal encounter between two gentlemen who are showing each other what they are currently working on: “Baselitz is nine years younger than Rainer and each artist has a different artistic history (in Germany and Austria). Yet there are similarities nonetheless: they are each painters by disposition and the liveliness of their own signature style was in many respects always of great importance. Furthermore, they are both highly intelligent and experienced artists and are, with their growing years and respective wisdom, very much living life to the full. So it seemed appropriate to dedicate this exhibition to their most recent works – a fresh and lively choice. Watching these two artists in their studios – whether devising new works or experimenting with unfamiliar strategies – is a delight. The amazing freedom of their current production reflects them very well. They seem to be truly enjoying the experience. It is in acknowledgement of this that LUSTSPIEL, the German title of the exhibition - exclusively showing new and fresh examples of their work - has the word ‘pleasure’ in the title.” (Rudi Fuchs, April 2011).
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