Art & Literature in East Germany - Resistance Between the Lines

By Hermann Selchow

Dear reader,

Anyone expecting a melancholic epitaph for a bygone era in my book "Art & Literature in East Germany - Resistance Between the Lines" will be disappointed. I myself grew up in East Germany and spent half of my life there. There is nothing politically desirable about that time, and nothing of it should be repeated. The other half I spent in united Germany, and while some aspects could have been better, many were indeed better. One had the freedom to adapt or to drift through the years. That seems to be changing lately. What needs to be said sometimes becomes unspeakable. Thoughts must occasionally be rethought. Some words withdraw back between the lines and must be found there.

 

In this context, I want to introduce you to my book - a collection of stories and history about courage, resistance, and creativity during a time of oppression and political change. "Art & Literature in East Germany - Resistance Between the Lines" is a book that captures the secret voices of the artists who lived and worked during the time of the German Democratic Republic. Their stories were often told in secret, hidden between the lines of their works and away from the eyes of censors. They may serve as examples of people who dared to think the unthinkable and speak the unspeakable, despite speech and thought prohibitions.

East Germany was marked by an ideological dictatorship in which artists faced numerous challenges.

 

In this book, we will immerse ourselves in the world of East German art, which provides insight into the lives of artists who confronted the painful realities of everyday life with their creativity and resistance. The stories you will read here are a mixture of personal experiences, historical events, and art historical analysis. They tell of the difficulties artists faced in East Germany and the innovative methods they used to convey their messages nonetheless.

 

The theater also became a stage for resistance. Directors like Heiner Müller, Christoph Schroth, and Frank Castorf staged plays that contained political commentary between the lines. They used the medium of theater to reveal the truths behind the masks and express the despair and resistance of people in East Germany.

However, beyond these well-known names, there are many untold stories waiting to be discovered.

 

As a reader, you now have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art in East Germany, to hear the voices of the artists, and to discover the diversity of their works. Dive into the thoughts and emotions embedded in every brushstroke, every line, and every note. Be prepared to be surprised, inspired, and moved.

I wish you a fascinating journey through the art and literature of East Germany, a journey that reminds us that human creativity and the desire for freedom are stronger than any oppression. Let us together tell the stories hidden between the lines and honor the resistance of these artists.

Thank you for holding this book in your hands.

 

Yours sincerely,
Hermann Selchow

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hermann Selchow
• Release date: Sep 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223644071

Hermann Selchow

Ich wurde sozialisiert (wie man heutzutage sagt) in einem Land vor dieser Zeit. Ich war in der evangelischen Jugend, verweigerte den Reservedienst, verlor meinen Job, machte Gelegenheitsjobs für die evangelische Kirche, wurde unregelmäßig von zwei Herren im Trenchcoat besucht. Die üblichen Spielereien der Macht. Also nichts was nicht Hunderte / Tausende andere genauso oder schlimmer erlebt hätten. Ich war nicht der Typ, der mit gesenktem Kopf und erhobener Faust durch die Gegend lief. Ich nahm die „Bonzen“ einfach nur beim Wort. Das genügte um sie vorzuführen und sich bei ihnen unbeliebt zu machen.

Book preview

Art & Literature in East Germany

Resistance Between the Lines

Copyright © 2023 Hermann Selchow

All rights reserved.

Chapters:

Foreword

The Birth of the Art Movement in East Germany (GDR)

Censorship and Suppression of Artistic Freedom

The Influence of Soviet Art on East Germany (GDR)

Critical Literature in East Germany

Some well-known representatives of this critical authors' movement:

GDR Theatre - Critique of the System in the Guise of Classicism

Forbidden Art Forms in East Germany and Their Artists

GDR Art as a Mouthpiece of Resistance

The Underground Art Scene and Its Protagonists

Secret Exhibitions and Illegal Art Distribution

Art and Political Changes in the 1980s

The Path to Reunification in Art and Literature

The Struggle for Recognition of East German Art

The Memory Culture of GDR Art

Conclusion

We can't believe what we see yet. What we already believe, we can't speak.

Christa Wolf, Cassandra

Foreword

Dear reader,

Anyone expecting a melancholic epitaph for a bygone era in my book Art & Literature in East Germany - Resistance Between the Lines will be disappointed. I myself grew up in East Germany and spent half of my life there. There is nothing politically desirable about that time, and nothing of it should be repeated. The other half I spent in united Germany, and while some aspects could have been better, many were indeed better. One had the freedom to adapt or to drift through the years. That seems to be changing lately. What needs to be said sometimes becomes unspeakable. Thoughts must occasionally be rethought. Some words withdraw back between the lines and must be found there.

In this context, I want to introduce you to my book - a collection of stories and history about courage, resistance, and creativity during a time of oppression and political change. Art & Literature in East Germany - Resistance Between the Lines is a book that captures the secret voices of the artists who lived and worked during the time of the German Democratic Republic. Their stories were often told in secret, hidden between the lines of their works and away from the eyes of censors. They may serve as examples of people who dared to think the unthinkable and speak the unspeakable, despite speech and thought prohibitions.

East Germany was marked by an ideological dictatorship in which artists faced numerous challenges. Art was viewed by the party as a means of propaganda and solidifying the socialist regime. Every artistic expression was carefully monitored and controlled. However, despite these restrictive conditions, many found ways to express their ideas and criticisms by pushing the boundaries of what was allowed or subtly resisting the system.

In this book, we will immerse ourselves in the world of East German art, which provides insight into the lives of artists who confronted the painful realities of everyday life with their creativity and resistance. The stories you will read here are a mixture of personal experiences, historical events, and art historical analysis. They tell of the difficulties artists faced in East Germany and the innovative methods they used to convey their messages nonetheless.

Art in East Germany was diverse, ranging from painting and sculpture to literature, theatre, and music. Each field had its own heroes and pioneers who did not give up despite the dangers and repression. These artists risked their freedom to realize their visions and touch the hearts of the people. They secretly painted political satires, wrote poems about oppression, or staged plays that resisted the system between the lines. This creative subversion was an expression of the longing for freedom and the desire to improve the living conditions in East Germany.

In the following chapters, we will explore the most well-known and influential artists of East Germany. We will examine their works, delve into their life stories, and acknowledge their contributions to the development of art in East Germany. From the painters of the Leipzig School to the writers of the East Berlin literary scene, we will explore the diverse facets of this artistic movement.

However, this book is more than just a list of artistic endeavors in East Germany. It is a tribute to those who yearned for expression and freedom in a world of constraints and control. It is a reminder of the power of art, which can ignite the light of hope even in the darkest times.

It is fair to say that literature is closest to my heart. For me, it had the most exciting heroes who broke through the walls of silence with their words. Authors like Christa Wolf, Volker Braun, and Stefan Heym dared to address critical issues and reflect the reality of life in East Germany in their works. They used metaphors and allegories to encrypt their thoughts and yet convey a clear message.

The theatre also became a stage for resistance. Directors like Heiner Müller, Christoph Schroth, and Frank Castorf staged plays that contained political commentary between the lines. They used the medium of theatre to reveal the truths behind the masks and express the despair and resistance of people in East Germany.

However, beyond these well-known names, there are many untold stories waiting to be discovered. In the dark corners of the East German art scene, underground movements formed, where artists gathered in apartments and basements to present their works outside official channels. This subversive art, often born in secrecy, was an act of courage and determination to bypass censorship and keep the true spirit of art alive.

This book is a compilation of memories, anecdotes, and interpretations meant to help us understand the complexity and spirit of resistance in East German art.

It is my special purpose to present this book to the public and give voice to artists who have been overlooked for too long. Their stories are worth remembering, and they necessarily deserve to be heard again. By engaging with their art and life stories, we can recognize not only the challenges and sacrifices of the past but also the necessity and courage of these extraordinary individuals. This book should also be an invitation to view East German art from a new and more current perspective.

It is important to emphasize that this book cannot provide a complete representation of art in East Germany. There are many more artists whose stories have yet to be told. Nevertheless, I hope it serves as a first step in drawing attention to this fascinating and often neglected chapter of art history.

My hope is that this book contributes to raising awareness of the importance of art as a means of expression and resistance. The stories you will read in this book are not just a reflection of past times but also an encouragement to uphold the values of freedom, expression, and humanity in every society. It is an invitation for future generations to prevent the truth from needing to be sought between the lines once again.

As a reader, you now have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of art in East Germany, to hear the voices of the artists, and to discover the diversity of their works. Dive into the thoughts and emotions embedded in every brushstroke, every line, and every note. Be prepared to be surprised, inspired, and moved.

I wish you a fascinating journey through the art and literature of East Germany, a journey that reminds us that human creativity and the desire for freedom are stronger than any oppression. Let us together tell the stories hidden between the lines and honor the resistance of these artists.

Thank you for holding this book in your hands.

Hermann Selchow

The Birth of the Art Movement in East Germany (GDR)

The art movement in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) had a unique trajectory and a distinct dynamism. In the years following World War II and the founding of the GDR in 1949, artists began to explore their creative expression and break free from the constraints of socialist realism. This burgeoning art scene in the GDR was shaped by the political situation and societal upheavals, and over the years, it would grow into a significant force in the country's culture.

The early years of the GDR saw an atmosphere of hope and renewal. Many artists saw the socialist society as an opportunity to freely pursue their creative ideas and develop a new form of art. Art schools and associations were established where artists could exchange ideas and showcase their works.

The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, under the leadership of Professor Werner Tübke, played a pivotal role in the birth of the art movement. It became a hub for experimental and avant-garde artistic endeavors. Here, new techniques and styles were explored, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of intellectual exchange. Many future leaders of the GDR art movement studied at this renowned institution.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the art movement in the GDR began to diverge in various directions. On one hand, there were artists who remained committed to socialist realism, creating works in line with the state's ideology. On the other hand, a group of artists distanced themselves from state-controlled art and sought new forms of expression.

Those who turned away from state-sponsored art were often referred to as nonconformists. They typically faced repression and censorship because their works did not conform to the dictates of socialist