The book Kunstismen by artists Hans (Jean) Arp and El Lissitzky was published in 1925. On around 50 pages, it presents an illustrated summary of the predominant art “isms” from 1914 to 1924, such as Cubism, Expressionism, Constructivism, and Dadaism. It even covers lesser-known movements like Compressionism, which has since faded into obscurity. The supposedly strict chronological order of the various art movements is contrasted with a distinctly playful and imaginative presentation, humorously showcasing in its design the era’s wide array of artistic explorations.
The book Kunstismen had a profound influence on the collector Egidio Marzona, significantly shaping his art appreciation and serving as a pivotal inspiration for his collecting endeavors. Marzona received a copy as a gift from a family friend in his teenage years. He later secured a precious first edition of this work for his collection. It is now contained in the ADA, which is similarly categorized according to the various art “isms”.
Text: Clemens Ottenhausen, Project Coordinator
Further Media
- Museum
- Archiv der Avantgarden
- Inventory number
- I 548