Gustav Metzger
The artistic oeuvre of Gustav Metzger (1926-2017),
in which the concept of Auto-Destructive Art and the Art Strike hold a central role,
is considered as one of the most important in the 20th century.
Born in Nuremberg to Polish Jewish parents, Metzger escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport, traveling to England in 1939. As a refugee in postwar Britain he became politically engaged, joining protest movements and becoming involved in direct action for nuclear disarmament. Horrified by destructive uses of technology, he moved away from his traditional training in painting and sculpture, and used creation to “confront society.”
2019
English edition
JRP|Editions - Anthologies & Art Theory
The complete writings of an influential figure.
2016
English edition
Nero
sold out
The catalogue of Metzger's first extensive overview: divided into sections—each of which is accompanied by a critical text—corresponding to those presented in the exhibition, the publication provides systematic insight into an artistic oeuvre considered as one of the most important in the 20th century (with texts by Mathieu Copeland, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Yoko Ono, Hermann Nitsch…).
2013
bilingual edition (English / French)
Mathieu Copeland editions
The most monumental auto-creative work ever made by Gustav Metzger (catalogue of the exhibition at MAC Lyon, with numerous archive documents, newly commissioned texts and a conversation with the artist).
