German Art Basks in the Glow of Success
March 21, 2005The New Leipzig School, the 21st century’s first bona fide artistic phenomenon, includes Neo Rauch, Martin Kobe and David Schnell -- graduates from the Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts who are breathing new life into the East German tradition of social realist figure painting with enigmatic narratives and surrealist overtones. And they're being snapped up international collectors.
Meanwhile, Berlin continues to consolidate its reputation as a creative capital, hosting events such as the Transmediale electronic arts festival and opening world-class new museums such as the Berlinische Galerie.
Over on the other side of the country, Cologne is holding firmly onto its traditional status as the country's art center with the revamped annual Art Cologne trade fair.
The country might be shrouded in economic gloom, but art is one area where there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel.