Arp: The Poetry of Forms

Arp: The Poetry of Forms
20 May 2017 - 17 Sep 2017

Anyone who has visited the sculpture garden of the museum is familiar with Jean Arp from his Cloud shepherd (1953). This iconic sculpture has been stealing the show ever since the garden opened in 1961. Now, for the first time since Jean Arp’s death in 1966, there is a major retrospective of his work. A unique opportunity for lovers of art, nature and poetry.

Jack of all trades
Jean (Hans) Arp (1886-1966) is one of the most innovative and influential artists of the European avant-garde. He began his career as a poet and later worked as a painter, sculptor and graphic artist. The exhibition reveals the interaction between visual art and poetry and the humour and playfulness in his work.

Over eighty works
Arp: The Poetry of Forms showcases the full gamut of Arp’s work: sculptures, reliefs and works on paper, poetry, writings and publications. The exhibition comprises some eighty works from the three Arp foundations in Berlin, Paris and Locarno and from museums including Kunstmuseum Basel, Tate London and Centre Pompidou in Paris.

De Stijl
Arp’s extensive network also included Theo van Doesburg, founder of De Stijl. Arp worked together with Van Doesburg and his wife Sophie Taeuber-Arp on a major project: redesigning the interior of the Aubette amusement centre in Strasburg. These designs are also featured in a separate section of the exhibition (on display until 10 September 2017).

Turner Contemporary
Arp: The Poetry of Forms is organized in collaboration with Turner Contemporary, Margate (UK). The exhibition is showing from 12 October 2017 until 14 January 2018 at Turner Contemporary, Margate.

Guest curators: prof. Eric Robertson (Royal Holloway, University of London) and Frances Guy.