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).

Publication

A publication entitled Arp: The Poetry of Forms, written by Frances Guy and Eric Robertson, accompanies the exhibition. Publisher: Kröller-Müller Museum, ISBN-number: 978-90-73313-43-9, softcover, pg. 144, Dutch/English, € 24,95. 

Order now!Arp: The Poetry of Forms book

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.

Arp logo's

The exhibition takes place as part of the international De Stijl Year: Mondriaan to Dutch Design. You can find more information on the theme year on the website of the NBTC.

Images: Overview Arp: The Poetry of FormsMerz 5. Portfolio Arp. 7 arpaden, 1923, Frontispiece avec collage, 1923, (collection Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth), photo: Marjon Gemmeke / Overview Arp: The Poetry of FormsFront: Coquille se dénouant, 1936, (Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Dr Emil and Clara Friedrich-Jezler), Torse préadamite, 1938 (Kröller-Müller Museum), Coquille-cristal, 1938 (Kröller-Müller Museum) Back: Formes élémentaires, 1947 (Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno), Quittons l'échelonnement , 1959 (Private Collection), Constellation de sept formes, 1962 (Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno), Constellation de sept formes dite On lui fait la cour, 1962 (Private Collection), Tranches de nuages, 1963 (Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno),/ Theo van Doesburg, Maquette of the Aubette in Strasburg; interior Ciné-dancing, design 1928 (maquette circa 1888), photo: Cary Markerink, c/o Pictoright