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Isa Genzken - Make Yourself Pretty!, 2000

2023

Isa Genzken (*1948, Bad Oldesloe) is currently one of the most influential artists in contemporary art. Her oeuvre is characterized by its diversity; her works are subject to the constantly changing perspective of an artist who is inspired by socio-political themes, the view of the human body and architectural motifs. Genzken works with sculptures, installations, films, videos, paintings, paper, collages and photography.
The artist studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hamburg (1969–1971), Berlin (1971–1973) and finally at the State Academy of Art in Düsseldorf (1973–1977). She held a guest professorship at the Städelschule in Frankfurt and lives and works in Berlin. Her works have been exhibited several times at the documenta; in 2007 Isa Genzken exhibited at the German Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

Genzken was awarded the Wolfgang Hahn Prize in 2002. As part of the prize, the work Venice was acquired by the Gesellschaft für Moderne Kunst for the collection of the Museum Ludwig.

Isa Genzken, Mach dich hübsch!, 2000
Isa Genzken, Make Yourself Pretty!, 2000 Courtesy Galerie Buchholz © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

Make Yourself Pretty!, 2000

The artist’s book “Make Yourself Pretty!” by Isa Genzken from the year 2000, acquired by the Perlensucher initiative, complements the position acquired by the Gesellschaft für Moderne Kunst wonderfully. The bound book comprises several pages that have been collaged with various materials. Black and white photographs are contrasted with intense colors, adhesive tape acts as a frame on some pages. Some of the photographs are split down the middle, creating new image sections that provide a new focus on the selected works and photographs. The artist’s book features a single collage on each page, which, in context with the other pages, creates an overall collage whose motifs reinforce each other.

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