ENNOVA Art Museum Academic News | Establishment of Boyce Research Center (China)
As one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, the thoughts and works of Joseph Beuys continue to be a source of inspiration for artists and scholars worldwide. The Joseph Beuys Research Center will take Beuys's works and ideas as its core, creating an important academic platform in China and across Asia to discuss contemporary art and social issues.
The Joseph Beuys Research Center is an integral part of the ENNOVA Art Museum and is further attached to the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and Phoenix Art. The center is dedicated to collecting, researching, and exhibiting a vast array of materials about Joseph Beuys, including literature, artworks, photographs, and videos, making it an essential resource platform for domestic and international art scholars and Beuys researchers.
The mission of the Joseph Beuys Research Center is to support and promote the study of contemporary art, particularly the life and work of Joseph Beuys from a Eurasian perspective. The center provides extensive resources and academic support for artists, scholars, and students in China and across Asia by initiating academic dialogues on themes such as art, notions of energy and the environment. It also promotes Beuys’ interdisciplinary artistic concepts on a global scale, while delving into and exchanging ideas related to contemporary art inspired by his vision.
Drawing inspiration from Beuys’ experimental and innovative methodologies, the Joseph Beuys Research Center is committed to advancing research in emerging art fields. Through exhibitions, seminars, lectures, and other forms, the center will build a bridge for interdisciplinary dialogue between academia, the art world, and the public, allowing the power of art to play a role in a broader range of fields.
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Books and Documents: Over 500 books and catalogs on Beuys, including classic and recent publications from 1961 to 2024, such as Stephen Aiken: An Artist, a Coyote, and a Cage: Joseph Beuys in New York 1974.
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Photographic Archives: A dual system linking global resources with physical archives, documenting and studying Beuys’ diverse creative journey.
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Films: A growing video library of Beuys’ performance art and media interventions, offering scholars opportunities for in-depth research.
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Multiples: Systematic collections of various versions of Beuys’ works, emphasizing the semiotic significance of his artistic materials.
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Prints and Posters: Prints and over 100 collaborative exhibition posters spanning Beuys’ career, showcasing the diversity of his visual communication.
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Sound Art: A collection of Beuys’ completes vinyl records, complementing and extending his exploration of sound in art.
The Joseph Beuys Research Center is not only a collection and research institution but also an academic and educational platform. In the future, the center will regularly hold:
⦁ Thematic Exhibitions
⦁ Academic Lectures
⦁ Interdisciplinary Seminars
⦁ Public Education Activities
Through these activities, the center aims to offer new perspectives on Beuys’ artistic philosophy and methods, inspiring innovation in the role of art in societal development.
The establishment of the Joseph Beuys Research Center marks a significant step in the ENNOVA Art Museum’s journey toward internationalization and academic excellence. This platform looks forward to supporting contemporary art research in China, Asia, and the world through this platform, and inspiring more exploration and thought on art, society, environment, and energy with Beuys's artistic spirit.
The Joseph Beuys Research Center looks forward to witnessing the power of art and exploring the infinite possibilities of the future with you!