Annegret Laabs Knihy

The Dresden-based artist Max Uhlig has created a truly one-of-a-kind installation for the Gothic Church of Saint John in Magdeburg, Germany. The cathedral, first built in 1209, was destroyed during World War II when heavy bombing destroyed the church’s windows and caused significant structural damage. Restorations of the cathedral began in 1992, and soon thereafter Uhlig began his installation, with thirteen of the church’s windows serving as a canvas.A window area of some 350 square meters immerses the interior of the church in light. Uhlig’s installation offers an abstracted history of the church’s destruction and rebirth. Six windows are presented in dark earth tones and luminous yellows and blues are interspersed with fiery reds, recalling both natural foliage and the flames that destroyed the cathedral. This contrasts with the seven windows in black and painted vines climb up the choir windows, varying in height to represent new growth. Uhlig’s expressive and rhythmic lines are a revelation in their incisiveness. This magnificent volume about his latest masterpiece shows that Uhlig is at the very height of his career, a painter who will be remembered in our times. 

Sumptuous contemporary portraiture of young Black women in their daily lives South African artist Zandile Tshabalala (born 1999) makes sumptuous oil paintings of young Black women in everyday settings appearing sensual, confident and relaxed. By inserting her subjects into traditional motifs meant to exclude the Black body, Tshabalala both confronts and subverts canonical and art-historical conventions.

Im ältesten erhaltenen Bauwerk Magdeburgs, dem ehemaligen Marienstift 'Unser Lieben Frau', befindet sich heute neben wechselnden Kunstausstellungen vor allem die museale Skulpturensammlung der Stadt Magdeburg mit Werken von der Antike über das Mittelalter bis zu einem großen zeitgenössischen Bestand. Außerhalb der Klausurräume wurde in der DDR ein großer Skulpturenpark begründet, dessen Ausbau heute auf die internationale Kunst der Gegenwart fokussiert ist. Die romanische Klosterkirche wird für musikalische Aufführungen genutzt.