From cross to crib

More about the book

This publication focuses on a lesser-known temporary artwork created by Paul Thek during his winter 1973/74 residency at the LehmbruckMuseum in Duisburg. His expansive environment, “Ark, Pyramid – Christmas” (“The Manger”), occupied an entire room and was an evolution of his earlier installation from documenta 5 in Kassel (1972). Organized by museum director Siegfried Salzmann, this exhibition marked the fourth in Thek’s series of large-scale projects across Europe, integrating individualized religious symbols. The holiday season also inspired Thek to present his first self-written theatre piece, a nativity play featuring local children. Recently discovered original materials and documents in the museum’s repository allow for a detailed reconstruction of the exhibition within this book. Additionally, it includes an interview conducted by Marietta Franke with Franz Deckwitz, who assisted in the installation in 1973.