Beuys’ Hat. Analysis of an autofictional artist-subject
The German artist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) is said to be an ‘authentic’ artist; he seems to be indispensable as the ‘subject of his own work’. The exegetic reception of Beuys mirrors this assumption, as well as critiques of his exhibitions. Such assumptions provide the foundation of the dissertation “Beuys’ hat. Analysis of an autofictional artist-subject”; and they shall be regarded as the expression of paradigms of authority and authorship. Based on the popularity of Beuys as a ‘person’ and the legacy and canonization of his biography, the dissertation will analyze how the artist-subject stages – and fictionalizes – himself. The analysis focuses on the artist’s self-representations as well as museum practices that aim to construct and constitute the artist’s identity. The figure Beuys shall be understood as a ‘work of art next to his works of art’ (‘Werk neben dem Werk’). The dissertation project is an interdisciplinary study at the interface of literary and art studies. Especially literary terms and models from theories of authorship, autobiography and autofiction shall be made useful. Ultimately, the project is a contribution to the discussion on the relationship between the artist and work of art.