THEMATIC ACTIVITIES | Kiefer and Yanagi: Worlds Compared

Focus areas

An interdisciplinary activity that may cut across various subjects, such as history, geography, civic education, science, and art history.

Activities

Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945, Donaueschingen, Germany; lives and works in Barjac, France) and Yukinori Yanagi (b. 1959, Fukuoka, Japan; lives and works in Momoshima, Japan) are two of the most influential figures on the contemporary art scene. Though their artistic languages differ greatly, both create monumental installations that explore key themes such as travel as a metaphor for existential experience, the legacy of the Second World War, cultural identity, and the impact of globalisation.

This activity will take the form of a guided tour through Yukinori Yanagi’s installations and Anselm Kiefer’s permanent display. The students will be encouraged to consider how each artist addresses these complex themes in distinct yet resonant ways. At the same time, they will be invited to identify what aesthetic and symbolic elements they have in common—such as the shipping container, an object linked to the concept of transport and that of crossing borders.

These and other themes will be at the centre of the thematic activities that will allow the students to share their reflections and start up peer-to-peer exchanges of ideas and thoughts.