The small circle

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The small circle was an association of visual artists on Lake Constance. It was founded in Konstanz at the beginning of 1962 and existed until 1972. The founders were the artists Otto Adam (1901–1973), Hans Sauerbruch (1910–1997), Jean Paul Schmitz (1899–1970), Adolf Schmid (1906–1991) and Rudolf Stuckert (1912-2002).

Naming

The name was based on the international artists' association " Der Kreis ". This existed from 1925 to 1937 and united writers, sculptors and painters around Lake Constance.

Objective of the merger

The Small Circle represented neither a specific theory nor a specific art style. His aim was to make regional art more heard and to open up exhibition opportunities in the region away from the major art centers. "It is an amalgamation of like-minded painters and sculptors for the purpose of better exhibition opportunities," said the founders.

Development, members

Initially, the group called itself the “Künstler-Gruppe Konstanz ”, but as early as February of the founding year Herrmann Brühl (1918–1997, Konstanz), Karl Einhart (1884–1967, Konstanz), André Ficus (1919–1999, Friedrichshafen), Ernst Graf (1909–1988, Ermatingen / CH), Walter Matysiak (1915–1985, Konstanz), Rose Marie Schnorrenberg (born 1926, Bettnang), Herbert Vogt (1918–2015, Meersburg) and Arthur Wittig (1894–1962), added, one changed to the less place-related name. The line-up changed several times, as the artists belonged to the “small circle” for different lengths of time. Emil Honold was the managing director and driving force behind the cohesion of the “Small Circle” . He took care of the organizational and, above all, of the procurement of exhibition opportunities.

The “Small Circle” existed for around ten years. The death of some members and Emil Honold's withdrawal as managing director meant the end of the group. There was never an official resolution.

style

The style of the grouping alternates between expressive realism and figurative abstraction. In contrast to the art styles that were developing internationally at the time, such as Pop Art or Concept Art , the “Small Circle” remained largely traditional. Versatile works were created “from landscapes and figure paintings to still lifes and interiors to portraits”. Specifically representational works contrasted with abstract works. The “Small Circle” is an example of the art represented on Lake Constance in the 1960s. "We believe that the old game with form and color, the desire to draw and shape artistically from the environment, must remain a need and the most valuable means of understanding the world." (Hans Sauerbruch).

Exhibitions and response

The “Small Circle” was an important part of the art and culture scene on Lake Constance in the 1960s and 1970s. Her numerous cross-border exhibitions were popular art events. The first exhibition of the “Small Circle” with over fifty works took place in Altstätten (Switzerland) in 1962, followed a short time later by a show in Constance. There they exhibited, among other things, in the Städtische Wessenberg-Galerie and in the Kunstverein Konstanz . Other exhibition locations were Meßkirch , Waldshut-Tiengen , Ravensburg and Amriswil (Switzerland). Rudolf Stuckert's gallery, founded in Konstanz in 1959 , became the group's central forum.

literature

  • Andreas Gabelmann: The moderate modern age . In: Südkurier . December 4, 2012, p. 30 ( online [accessed January 16, 2015]).
  • Barbara Stark: In the “small circle” . In: Städtische Wessenberg-Galerie Konstanz (Ed.): See-Blick. German artists on Lake Constance in the 20th century . Stadler Verlagsgesellschaft, Konstanz 1998, ISBN 978-3-7977-0411-5 , p. 81 f .
  • Ekkehard Faude: Hans Sauerbruch - About the life behind the pictures . In: Bettina Sauerbruch-Meese, Ernst, Horst and Matthias Sauerbruch (eds.): The painter Hans Sauerbruch 1919-1996 . Libelle-Verlag, Lengwil 2006, ISBN 978-3-905707-12-0 , p. 210 ff .