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THE ARMITT MUSEUM HAS LAUNCHED A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO LOCATE LOST TREASURES OF LAKELAND’S EXILED GERMAN GENIUS, KURT SCHWITTERS! The importance of
Ambleside and Langdale to the later works of one of the greatest modern artists
of the 20th century, KURT SCHWITTERS is becoming increasingly
acknowledged internationally. Having created extraordinary sculptures and the
world’s earliest examples of collage, assemblage and installation art, by 1938
this German genius’s progressive art was branded ‘degenerate’ by Hitler,
and he fled for his life, first to Norway, and then to England. Having survived
internment and life in wartime London, Schwitters finally chose Ambleside as the
place that would give him sanctuary, new freedom and fresh creativity after
years in exile and poverty. Less than three
highly productive years after Schwitters came to live in the town with his dear
friend ‘Wantee’ (Edith Thomas), he fell ill and died, leaving Ambleside and
its local people a legacy of landscape and portrait paintings, sculpture,
assemblage and collage works from this final phase of his life. Much of this has
been dispersed all over the world, sold to dealers or in major art collections,
museums and private ownership. But in recent years a number of forgotten works
have been uncovered, and experts believe there may be more left than anyone
realised, as yet still unrecognised. But where are they now? The
Armitt is committed to finding these works,
not only to give Schwitters new prominence so more people can enjoy his Lakeland
legacy but also to add new information to the major Schwitters archive at the
Sprengel Museum in Hanover. What
is there left in the Lake District to show for Schwitters? Who knows? – but
the Armitt is determined to find out! Some of this very
valuable work may be collecting the dust, given in payment by the artist for
food, books, newspapers or other essentials and now lying forgotten in attics,
cellars, garages, sheds and barns. Schwitters would often incorporate little
fragments of nature in his work, or things that others discarded, which he would
sometimes glue and paint. These pieces blend in so naturally with their
surroundings, they might be hard to spot. Take
a clean sweep and help uncover history!
Clear the cobwebs from cupboards and attics, delve into dusty drawers …or head
for the garden shed. Look
out this summer… for small
sculptures of wood and stone incorporating nails, springs, or anything you might
find on a workshop floor. Then go to the pictures! Take a look at any family
portraits, oil landscapes or flower studies dating back to the 1940s and look
for the distinctive KS initial, although many of his works went unsigned. The
Armitt is also looking for pencil sketches and photographs of KS and his friend
Wantee and would love to hear from those who knew or have any memories of KS in
Ambleside. If
you spot the genuine article…. tell
the Armitt Museum first on (015394) 31212. Staff can put you in touch with KS
experts, or invite you to bring your ‘find’ along to a Schwitters
Road Show which hopes to make history on Saturday Sept 6, 2-5.30pm and
Sunday Sept 7, 10.30am-1.pm, with experts on hand to examine and authenticate
all items. The Armitt is also holding a major Schwitters exhibition in October,
and a new book about his life in Ambleside will follow shortly. CONTACT:- Michelle Kelly, Curator – Ambleside Museum and Armitt Library,
Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9BL [ Alien at Ambleside ] [
Dr G A Johnston ] [
Merz Lives
On ] [
Kurt Schwitters at the Armitt ] [
KS - An Appreciation by Russell Mills ]
[ Newspaper Collages ] [
Wood on Wood ]
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