The human and the landscape: Rainer Fetting at the Dortmunder U
Discover the exhibition works and bronzes of the German artist Rainer Fetting and accompany him to his exhibition "Here are the lemons" at the Dortmunder U.
By DORTMUNDER U
Rainer Fetting Roland Baege
The exhibition "Rainer Fetting" was shown in summer 2020 at Gottorf Castle in Schleswig under the title "Here are the lemons". In the Dortmunder U it presented itself as a second exhibition station from 29.11.2020 to 05.04.2021 on the exhibition area on level 6.
The artist
Fetting belonged to a group of artists who became known around 1980 under the label "Neue Wilde" (New Wild Ones) and were engaged in a fundamental renewal of art in the 1970s/80s. The painting of the young artists is emotional and direct, fierce and very colorful.
In particular, Fetting's work shows figurative motifs that, for all their fresh liveliness, are composed and, despite the raw brushstrokes, anything but unconsciously thrown down: Fetting's art is immediate and vital, his painterly execution vibrates, lives and pulsates. To this day, Fetting is considered one of the most important contemporary German artists. One of his most famous works is the portrait of Willy Brandt in the Berlin "SPD" headquarters.
The career
Born in Wilhelmshaven in 1949, Fetting went to the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in West Berlin in '72 (at that time a hotspot of student revolt and the gay scene). From 83-94 he lived in New York, which became a formative place of freedom and inspiration for him.
360° tour of the exhibition
In the exhibition, visitors* were able to experience over 130 works by Rainer Fetting from around five decades. The selection of paintings, bronzes and graphic works is based on a close cooperation with the artist, who provides a deep insight into his multifaceted work. Through these Street View views, you have the opportunity to go back to the exhibition. You can find the complete interactive 360° tour here: https://digitales.dortmunder-u.de/rainer-fetting/
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360° tour of the exhibition
The two essential themes of his work were reflected in the exhibition: the human being and the landscape. In the Dortmunder U his portraits from the early days until today were on display.
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Desmond Cadogan
The other side of his image of man - the male nude - was also centrally represented and presented mainly Desmond Cadogan, who has been Fetting's most important model since 1984.
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Here are the lemons
In 1984, Fetting met Desmond Cadogan in New York, who remains a friend and favorite model to this day. His portraits show how much this encounter inspires him in his works.
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Sylt / Westerland
Since his return from New York, Rainer Fetting also paints on Sylt. Besides the image of people, the landscape is the second essential motif of his work.
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Berlin / New York
In the exhibition, this was found in marked contrast in scenes of the big city and the natural landscape. Paintings from Berlin and New York with urban themes such as streets, clubs and nightlife were juxtaposed with beach scenes from Sylt.
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Artist and sculptor
In addition to expressive, colorful paintings, Rainer Fetting has created an extensive body of sculptural work, primarily in bronze. The 3.40-meter-high Willy Brandt statue, weighing over 500 kilograms, is one of his best-known works.
Sylt
Since his return from New York in 1994, Sylt has become Fetting's second place of residence and painting.
Sylt and its landscape offer him inexhaustible motifs such as the dunes and the force of the waves, seagulls or beach scenes. Recently, he has created monumental paintings of the mighty tripods (or tetrapods) that are stored on the beach of Westerland and serve to protect the coast. A special theme are the people on the island, in the water and in motion, such as surfers and ball players.
Berlin - New York - Berlin
As a student at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Fetting goes to West Berlin in '72. The divided city became a place of inspiration for him. The "Self-Help Gallery" on Moritzplatz in Kreuzberg, which Fetting founded together with other artists, became the nucleus of the new painting movement. The young group of artists soon became known as "The Moritz Boys".
First in '78 and again in '83, he moves to New York. Fetting experiences the city as "exciting, challenging and intoxicating," so that this energy is transferred to his works. Fetting often roams the city and films. This results in his film "Brooklyn 11238," which shows personal insights into the nighttime club scene.
In 1994, he returns to Berlin.
Rainer Fetting: The Easy Way not the German Way
You can get a nice impression of the exhibition in our video "The Easy Way not the German Way", which was made during the construction. Here, Rainer Fetting not only lent a hand himself, but also told us very personally about the background and the creation of his art.
The Easy Way not the German Way
Film: Lennart Miketta
Dortmunder U, Rainer Fetting, Florida Brand Design, Opposition Studios
