Künstler im Exil in Ascona, Paris, New York

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In the preface, the author reflects on the diverse lives and works of the featured artists, who, despite their varied backgrounds and locations in early 20th-century Europe, shared fateful experiences with profound consequences. Primarily, it was the generation born around 1880 to 1900 that was significantly impacted, forming a tightly-knit network across Europe that introduced groundbreaking artistic ideas. This group coalesced in movements such as 'Brücke,' 'Der Blaue Reiter,' and 'Sturm,' and engaged in politically motivated organizations like DAFA and the Novembergruppe, as well as institutions like the Bauhaus. They were instrumental in the emergence of art movements including Expressionism, Cubism, Constructivism, and New Objectivity. Major art centers like Paris and Munich served as hubs where numerous artists, including many from Eastern Europe, interacted during their studies and throughout their careers. This generation faced the devastating historical repercussions of the early 20th century, particularly affecting many of Jewish descent. The exhibition highlights the severe impacts of political and military events on avant-garde artists, illustrating their struggles and the loss of artworks due to war, resulting in the irrevocable loss of complete bodies of work. Exhibition: Galerie Orlando, Zürich, Switzerland (30.09.2015-25.06.2016)