Art of Two Germany's

Curated by LACMA's Stephanie Baron, Art of Two Germany's presents a chronological take of Post-Expressionist that accurately reflects the state of Germany from the conclusion of World War II through 1988. As expected, much of the art exhibited reflects the bleak attitudes held by insiders and outsiders alike with regards to the restructuring of Germany after the fall of the Third Reich. Interstingly enough, even beneath the underlying angst that riddles their work, many of these artists' maintained a positive outlook and keen concern for a cultural revival in a socially and politically divisive Germany. In some capacities, it's the art that plays a leading role in the countries re-unification and endless search for cultural identity.

Some highlights of the exhibit are fascinating series of paintings by Martin Kippenberger inthe 1980's room as well as a tremendously haunting Kiefer, entitled Deutschlands Geistehelden (Germany's Spiritual Heroes), 1973, which overwhelmes an entire a 1970's, drawing viewers into the long earie planks illustrated on the wall.

Art of Two Germany's rounds out what has proven to be a banner year for German and Expressionist art, with Kirchner and Kippenberger at the MoMa and Kubin at the Neue in New York. As one of the most well-curated and historically contextualized exhibits this past year, Art of Two Germany's provides a wealth of visual and mental stimulation. [AHLA]