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Quote by Gerhard Richter

“There is sorrow, but I hope one can see that it is sorrow for the people who died so young and so crazy, for nothing. I have respect for them, but also for their wishes, or for the power of their wishes. Because they tried to change the stupid things in the world.”

Quote by Gerhard Richter

Book:Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

Work

Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007 is a comprehensive compilation of the artist's written works over a significant period of his career. The book offers insights into Richter's evolving artistic philosophy, his approach to painting, and his reflections on the role of art in society. It is a valuable resource for those interested in the thoughts and ideas of one of the most influential contemporary artists. more

Author

Gerhard Richter

German visual artist known for his unique painting style and diverse creative techniques. Richter's works span a wide range of styles from abstraction to figuration, and his career has spanned over half a century, profoundly influencing contemporary art. more

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“Not the victims of any specific ideology of the left or of the right, but of the ideological posture as such. This has to do with the everlasting human dilemma in general: to work for a revolution and fail.”

Humans Art Left Failing Painting Revolution Victim Ideology Everlasting Dilemma Ideological Posture

Book:Gerhard Richter: text : writings, interviews and letters, 1961-2007

Source: Gerhard Richter: text : writings, interviews and letters, 1961-2007

“I began in 1976, with small abstract paintings that allowed me to do what I had never let myself do: put something down at random. And then, of course, I realized that it never can be random. It was all a way of opening a door for me. If I don't know what's coming - that is, if I have no hard-and-fast image, as I have with a photographic original - then arbitrary choice and chance play an important part.”

Ifs Knows Way Art Important Hard Play Choices Courses Chance Doors Painting Originals I Realized Opening Abstract Arbitrary Abstract Painting

Book:Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

Source: Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

“I see the bomber pictures as an anti-war statement... which they aren't - at all. Pictures like that don't do anything to combat war. They only show one tiny aspect of the subject of war - maybe only my own childish feelings of fear and fascination with war and with weapons of that kind.”

Kind Art War Shows Feelings My Own Subjects Painting Weapons Aspect Tiny Statements Combat Anti War Fascination Bombers

Author:Gerhard Richter

“My idea of professionalism is probably a lot of people's idea of obsessive.”

People Ideas Obsessive Professionalism

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“The paint for the grey paintings was mixed beforehand and then applied with different implements - sometimes a roller, sometimes a brush. It was only after painting them that I sometimes felt that the grey was not yet satisfactory and that another layer of paint was needed.”

Art Different Sometimes Felt Painting Needed Paint Layers Brushes Grey

Book:Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

Source: Gerhard Richter: writings 1961-2007

“When I look back on the townscapes now, they do seem to me to recall certain images of the destruction of Dresden during the war.”

Looks Art War Seems Certain Painting Destruction Recalls Dresden

Author:Gerhard Richter

“In 1981, I think, for the Kunsthalle in Düsseldorf. Before that I designed a mirror room for Kasper König's Westkunst show, but it was never built. All that exists is the design - four mirrors for one room.”

Thinking Art Shows Rooms Four Design Painting Built Mirrors

Author:Gerhard Richter

“What attracted me about my mirrors was the idea of having nothing manipulated in them. A piece of bought mirror. Just hung there, without any addition, to operate immediately and directly. Even at the risk of being boring. Mere demonstration. The mirrors, and even more the Panes of Glass, were also certainly directed against Duchamp, against his Large Glass.”

Art Ideas Pieces Risk Painting Mirrors Mere Glasses Boring Hung Demonstration

Book:Gerhard Richter: text : writings, interviews and letters, 1961-2007

Source: Gerhard Richter: text : writings, interviews and letters, 1961-2007

“I started doing 'figures', then, one day, all of a sudden, I started doing abstraction. And then I started doing both. But it was never really a conscious decision. It was simply a question of desire. In fact, I really prefer making figurative work, but the figure is difficult. So to work around the difficulty I take a break and paint abstractly. Which I really like, by the way, because it allows me to make beautiful paintings.”

Way Art Facts Beautiful Desire Difficult Decision Break Figures Painting One Day Conscious Difficulty Paint Abstraction Beautiful Paintings

Author:Gerhard Richter

“My method is related to an attempt to do something that might be understood by today's world, or that could at least provide understanding. In other words, doing something I understand and that everyone understands. This natural desire for communication is also found in other domains, like reading and discourse, etc. I also hate repeating myself; it gives me no pleasure whatsoever. Once I've understood something, I need to start off on new ground.”

World Needs Giving Art Might Today Desire Hate Reading Found Understanding Natural Pleasure Painting Communication Understood Give Me Method Related Etc Discourse Domain Today's World

Author:Gerhard Richter