Electric Night, Helmut Middendorf
Helmut Middendorf
Electric Night
DE
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Helmut Middendorf

Electric Night, 1979


Dimensions
200.0 x 300.0 cm
Physical Description
Distemper on untreated cotton
Inventory Number
DB012
Acquisition
Deutsche Bank Collection at the Städel Museum
Status
On display, lower level, Contemporary Art, room 13

Texts

About the Work

In Helmut Middendorf's 'Electric Night', sinister figures move through the darkness of night like modern-day natives - dancing wildly in the glare of the stroboscopic light. Coarse, violent brushstrokes generate dynamism and movement. Although the dominant colour is blue, it is the bright red which creates the impression of light, makes the night recognisable as such and gives the picture depth. The colour intensity and painting style result in a tension-filled picture which manifests the attitude to life of a generation whose aggressive music scene was an important means of expression. Middendorf interprets this intensity and roughness in his large-format works. His energetic painting style makes him one of the most important representatives of the Neue Wilde (New Wild Ones). 'Electric Night' is the portrait of a subculture and a lifestyle marked by drugs and alcohol.

Video

  • Kunst nach 1945: Helmut Middendorf
    Helmut Middendorf (* Dinklage, 1953) studierte von 1973 bis 1979 an der Hochschule der Künste in Berlin. Gemeinsam mit Rainer Fetting, Salomé und Bernd Zimmer beteiligte er sich 1977 an der Gründung der Galerie am Moritzplatz in Berlin-Kreuzberg. In den späten siebziger Jahren begann er, betont gegenständliche, figurative Malerei zu schaffen. In diesem Film unserer Reihe „Kunst nach 1945“ geht er auf ein Werk aus der Sammlung Gegenwartskunst im Städel Museum ein: "Electric Night“ aus dem Jahr 1979. In dem Bild manifestiert sich das Lebensgefühl einer Generation, deren Musikszene ein wichtiges Ausdrucksmittel war. Für Untertitel klicken Sie bitte auf das Untertitel-Symbol am rechten unteren Rand des Videos. For subtitles please click the captions icon at the bottom of the video. http://www.staedelmuseum.de/#youtube

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Electric Night (Original Title)
Painter
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Distemper on untreated cotton
Material
Technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Sammlung Deutsche Bank im Städel Museum, Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
Acquisition
Deutsche Bank Collection at the Städel Museum

Work Content

Motifs and References

Iconclass

Primary
Associative

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Last update

22.03.2023