For this 4th chapter, the Hans Ulrich Obrist Archive presents an exploration of the work of Gustav Metzger (born April 10, 1926 in Nuremberg, died March 1ᵉʳ, 2017 in London), an essential figure for ecology and activism in the arts.
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Drawing on a two-decade friendship between Metzger and Obrist, the exhibition, spread over two levels, offers both an immersion into previously unseen archives and a panorama of the artist's most emblematic works, whose relevance is more urgent than ever.
On their first studio visit to Glasgow in 1991, Douglas Gordon encouraged Hans Ulrich Obrist to explore the works of Gustav Metzger and John Latham, two pioneers and key inspirations for a generation of artists then emerging in the UK. After consulting the catalog for “Art Into Society - Society Into Art” (1974), which presented his contribution, an appeal to Years without Art (1977-1980), Obrist made every effort to reach Metzger.
Their first recorded conversation took place in 1997 at the legendary Café Cosmo, a sanctuary for political exiles during the conflicts of the XXᵉ century in London. Their dialogue continually revealed Metzger's commitment and activism for the environment. Their relationship intensified when Hans Ulrich Obrist arrived in London. Metzger was a key participant in the Serpentine's first marathon, the Interview Marathon (2006) designed with Rem Koolhaas. He was the only person who didn't sleep a wink during the 24-hour conversations. Cultivating mystery, Metzger used London telephone booths exclusively as a means of communication. In this way, the Serpentine became his post box of sorts during his retrospective Decades: 1959-2009 [Decades: 1959-2009, 2009]. He subsequently co-organized the Extinction Marathon: Visions for the Future in 2014.
The phrase “All of us together”, composed in 2014 for Hans Ulrich Obrist's Handwriting Project, is part of a collection of notes Metzger entitled Extinction Handwritings. The exhibition compiles the questions Metzger has raised over the course of his life and career, manifested through the presentation of archival documents, some ten hours of interviews, and handwritten and printed notes. The archive presentation completes an exhibition featuring works such as Liquid Crystal Environment (1965-2024) and MASS MEDIA: Today and Yesterday (1972/2024). Posters created in tribute to Metzger underline the scope of his work and its importance in confronting the crises of today and tomorrow. Not without recalling the initiatives and efforts of Luc Hoffmann, Gustav Metzger too will remain, through his works, through his thought, a pillar of the ecological cause of the XXᵉ and XXIᵉ centuries.
On their first studio visit to Glasgow in 1991, Douglas Gordon encouraged Hans Ulrich Obrist to explore the works of Gustav Metzger and John Latham, two pioneers and key inspirations for a generation of artists then emerging in the UK. After consulting the catalog for “Art Into Society - Society Into Art” (1974), which presented his contribution, an appeal to Years without Art (1977-1980), Obrist made every effort to reach Metzger.
Their first recorded conversation took place in 1997 at the legendary Café Cosmo, a sanctuary for political exiles during the conflicts of the XXᵉ century in London. Their dialogue continually revealed Metzger's commitment and activism for the environment. Their relationship intensified when Hans Ulrich Obrist arrived in London. Metzger was a key participant in the Serpentine's first marathon, the Interview Marathon (2006) designed with Rem Koolhaas. He was the only person who didn't sleep a wink during the 24-hour conversations. Cultivating mystery, Metzger used London telephone booths exclusively as a means of communication. In this way, the Serpentine became his post box of sorts during his retrospective Decades: 1959-2009 [Decades: 1959-2009, 2009]. He subsequently co-organized the Extinction Marathon: Visions for the Future in 2014.
The phrase “All of us together”, composed in 2014 for Hans Ulrich Obrist's Handwriting Project, is part of a collection of notes Metzger entitled Extinction Handwritings. The exhibition compiles the questions Metzger has raised over the course of his life and career, manifested through the presentation of archival documents, some ten hours of interviews, and handwritten and printed notes. The archive presentation completes an exhibition featuring works such as Liquid Crystal Environment (1965-2024) and MASS MEDIA: Today and Yesterday (1972/2024). Posters created in tribute to Metzger underline the scope of his work and its importance in confronting the crises of today and tomorrow. Not without recalling the initiatives and efforts of Luc Hoffmann, Gustav Metzger too will remain, through his works, through his thought, a pillar of the ecological cause of the XXᵉ and XXIᵉ centuries.
Drawing on a two-decade friendship between Metzger and Obrist, the exhibition, spread over two levels, offers both an immersion into previously unseen archives and a panorama of the artist's most emblematic works, whose relevance is more urgent than ever.
On their first studio visit to Glasgow in 1991, Douglas Gordon encouraged Hans Ulrich Obrist to explore the works of Gustav Metzger and John Latham, two pioneers and key inspirations for a generation of artists then emerging in the UK....
On their first studio visit to Glasgow in 1991, Douglas Gordon encouraged Hans Ulrich Obrist to explore the works of Gustav Metzger and John Latham, two pioneers and key inspirations for a generation of artists then emerging in the UK....
Rates
From 3 November 2024 to 30 March 2025
Full price
9€
Reduced price
7€
Associate member
50€
Family pass
7€
Opening times
Until 2 April 2025
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
10:00 - 18:00
Thursday
10:00 - 18:00
Friday
10:00 - 18:00
Saturday
10:00 - 18:00
Sunday
10:00 - 18:00
