Titled Controversy Echoes at Neue Nationalgalerie
Joachim Jäger, the museum vice president, bears a hint of stress. The monstrous six-meter-long "Who is Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue IV" by US artist Barnett Newman (1905-1970) is about to find its new home at Berlin's National Gallery. Teamwork is essential for the installation process set for Monday. Yet, this isn't the first time Newman's masterpiece stirs up turmoil within the emblematic Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) constructed edifice.
The iconic red, blue, and yellow color fields canvas, crafted in 1969/1970, will be a star attraction in the upcoming "Zerreißprobe" exhibition, opening on November 18. This new collection presentation promises to explore various societal and artistic themes that shaped the 20th century.
The 1980s saw a raging storm over Newman's piece. Even the substantial one-point-two million dollar acquisition price (around 2.7 million marks at the time) led to heated debates and threats against staff members. The expensive purchase was a contentious issue but took a dramatic turn when an unidentified assailant dared to attack the painting.
In 1982, a hooded perpetrator snuck into the complex and struck the artwork with a portion of its protective barrier, causing substantial damage. Restoration efforts were delayed, and it wouldn't be until 1984 when the spectacle would feature once more in exhibitions.
The "Zerreißprobe. Art between Politics and Society" exhibition exhibits works from the years 1945 to 2000. Segmented into 14 chapters, the event dives into significant artistic and social issues of the 20th century. The exhibition includes a room that showcases the division and unrest of the era. Among the artwork is GDR-inspired art and a 300+ kilogram sculpture of philosopher Karl Marx by Heinrich Drake (1881-1970).
The presentation will run until September 2025. The majority of exhibits from this period will fill the Neue Nationalgalerie, as space is limited. However, the impending Museum of the 20th Century (currently under construction with a budget of around 450 million euros) offers additional space, with plans for completion in 2027.
As visitors flock to the Neue Nationalgalerie, they will be able to glimpse "Who is Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue IV" in the "Zerreißprobe" exhibition, beginning November 18. They can also explore other radical artworks as Berlin becomes a key art hub, with notable exhibitions and upcoming projects such as the Museum of the 20th Century.
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Enrichment Insight: Interestingly, in another city, controversy surrounding a similar Barnett Newman artwork was misremembered in the original article. In 1986, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam experienced controversy during the installation of "Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow, and Blue III." Gerard Van Bladeren attacked the artwork with a box-cutter, causing significant damage. This act of sabotage served as a political statement against the controversial painting, which many found challenging to the cultural status quo at the time [1].
