Edited by: Klosterfelde Edition, Wilhelm Klotzek | Texts by Wilhelm Klotzek and Joanna Vickery-Barkow | 14.8 x 21,0 cm | 212 pp | Softcover | German / English
Book titles and covers not only provide information about their content, but in their entirety give an idea of eras’ and their societies interests. In his new publication “Die Kunstbuchhandlung”, Berlin author and sculptor Wilhelm Klotzek declares the art book cover as its own genre. He parodies it, comments on it, integrates it into biographical and socio-political contexts or dedicates it to certain artists.
Embedded in the architectural-sculptural imitation of a storefront, the 129 book covers in Klotzek‘s imaginary library negotiate excerpts from art and architectural history interwoven with Klotzek‘s experiences in Berlin during the reunification period. Here, the jargon of the art world meets the rough surfaces of urban space and takes humorous, pragmatic or even historical turns with titles such as “Broodthaers in der DDR” (Broodthaers in the GDR), “Auto Farblackierungen um 1990” (Car Colour Coating around 1990) by the Museum-Colour-Chemistry Leverkusen, the series “Birds on Works” by René Magritte to Louise Bourgeois or the question: Where has the worker’s portrait been hiding? A supposed canon of art is reinterpreted and reinvented, the language tilts or becomes an image and new contexts open up.
For the first time, the publication brings together images of the “Die Kunstbuchhandlung” as model, sculpture and of the 129 book covers, as well as a contribution by art historian Joanna Vickery-Barkow. With short stories about selected covers, Klotzek opens up another level and ties the art book to specific personal memories, situated within historical circumstances.