Erwin Wurm - Fichte

More about the book

“An art work is a summons.” This notion by philosopher Markus Gabriel resonates with Erwin Wurm’s approach to creating a monument for Johann Gottlieb Fichte at the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg. Instead of using spruce trees, Wurm opts for Nordmann firs, transforming them into an unconventional arboreal sculpture. This artist’s book, developed for the exhibition, embodies Wurm's unique style, requiring readers to cut the pages with a knife to unveil its contents. His instructions on the first page emphasize participation, echoing his famous “One Minute Sculptures” and ensuring that each book remains a singular piece despite its industrial production. As these books circulate globally, they extend the exhibition by adding unique works. Inside, readers can immerse themselves in Wurm's universe through over 80 pages of photographs, drawings, and collages, revealing the creative process behind the exhibition. The political implications of the Fichte project, along with its connections to civil disobedience, Fichte's philosophy, and New Realism, are explored in essays by Björn Egging and Markus Gabriel. They delve into concepts like ICH (self) and NICHT-ICH (not-self), highlighting their relation to the name FichtE and the philosophical underpinnings of Wurm's work.