Dokoupil

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Jirí Dokoupil, born in 1954 in Krnov, Czechoslovakia, fled to Germany after the 1968 Soviet invasion. He became a founding member of the German artist groups Mülheimer Freiheit and Junge Wilde in the late 1970s and early 1980s, aiming to create contemporary art through a neo-expressive, colorful style that challenged the minimalism of the time. Dokoupil developed a unique working method, focusing on individual expression. As Luca Marenzi notes, Dokoupil distinguishes between "know-how" and "style." Know-how involves mastering techniques, akin to scientific knowledge, while style is about achieving a desired artistic outcome, independent of the process. For instance, Pointillism exemplifies know-how, while Mondrian’s work represents style. Dokoupil blends traditional painting with conceptual art, creating a diverse body of work that reflects multiple artistic voices. Throughout his career, he has embraced intellectual freedom. The book features over 200 works categorized into three sections: "Behold, I have become a painter!" (1980–1989), "A new beginning, but how?" (1989–2000), and "Suddenly becoming academic" (2000–2017). It includes texts by Reiner Opoku, Luca Marenzi, memoirs from his mother Magda Dokoupilova, and an essay by Julian Schnabel.