Description
This issue of commemorative postage stamps points to the deep connection between Serbia and Germany, specially through the field of art, celebrating the lives and works of two great artists and pioneers of art of the second half of the 20th century – Joseph Beuys and Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos. Marking a great jubilees, hundred years since the birth of both artist, is an opportunity to underline and compare the experiment, social engagement and topicality that adorns the works of both authors through the joint issue of postage stamps that gives contribution to continuous building of overall ties between Serbia and Germany.
Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos (1921 – 1987) is the originator of conceptual art in our region. He left a deep artistic mark in the region, as well as globally, proven by his numerous works in the collections of the world’s most important museums. His art considers universal rather than micro-themes of the local environment, forming a link to Joseph Beuys’ artistic poetics. The gap between society and art is, as for Beuys, one of the central themes of Mangelos’ artistic expression. In his originality, he approaches it by striving for a changed nature of art, unlike Beuys, who wants to change all men and awaken their creativity. Redefining the role of art in society, Mangelos leaves a deep artistic mark, but with compatibility and same timing of themes, ideas and interests with Beuys, he builds another important bridge between Germany and Serbia.
Motive on the stamp: Portrait of Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos, drawing by Selman Trtovac, graphite on paper. Motive on the vignette: ”Hegel kritik der logik” and motive on the envelope: ”Glagolitic letter c”, works of Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos.
Joseph Beuys (1921 – 1986) one of the most important artists of the 20th century globally, and certainly the most important artist of Germany and Europe in the post-war period, in addition to his artistic work, is also known as an important theorist and pedagogue in the field of art. As a kind of recognition of the art that was created in this region at that time, Beuys visited Belgrade in 1974, where he presented his artistic views and tendencies as the only place in the region that can boast of such an important cooperation. If every man is an artist, as Beuys boldly proclaimed, then we can consider that Beuys is certainly one of the people who managed to express his artistic essence in a way that perhaps most strongly influenced a large number of other artists and people globally.
Motive on the stamp: portrait of Joseph Beuys; motive on the vignette: reflection on the performance ”How to explain a painting to a dead rabbit” by Joseph Beuys; motive on the envelope: reflection on the work ”La rivoluzione siamo Noi” by Joseph Beuys.drawings on stamp, vignette and envelope by Selman Trtovac, graphite on paper.
Expert collaboration: Ivana Bašičević Antić, PhD, Art Historian
Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist
