Page 32 - Studio International - December 1972

Beuys thinks about a good lawyer. Beuys in middle of a crowd, signing
The BeuysAffair Rau holds press conference. registration papers, answering questions, talking
to specific students, reaffirming intentions — he
Beuys and students remain in Academy
throughout the night. will remain — with or without payment — cannot
12-10-72 There is wide coverage of events in make concessions — if he did would no longer be
Calendar of events morning newspapers. Coverage includes Joseph Beuys — a new Academy ? — no, place is
sarcastic speculation on Beuys's actual artistic, here — past three days have proved that — must
30-6-72 to 8-10-72 Beuys spent ioo days at educational and political motivations. continue teaching.
Documenta demonstrating his He remains animated by situation. 2.00 pm. The meeting.
art-political-social theories. Possibly the most relevant educational Beuys holds tutorials in a corner of the studio.
6-10-72 Wissenschaftminister Johannes Rau situation he has ever fathered. Press arrive with microphones and cameras.
(minister of science, education and culture for Students plan a campaign: Last year's class speaker is informal chairman.
Westphalia) sent letter to Beuys warning him Immediate reinstatement of Beuys. Discuss proposals outlined on Wednesday.
not to insist upon obligatory free entry to Registration of 54 illegal students. Time has allowed development of personal
Academy. Academy to function normally. All seminars arguments. Decisions are difficult.
10-10-72 First day of Term. with other staff to be attended. Each student has a concept of himself as an
54 of 125 rejected students arrive at Academy Organization of internal and external support. individual. This is Beuys's teaching.
to register with Professor Beuys. 6.00 pm. Beuys leaves Academy for His reinstatement is their common ground.
Administrative staff refuse to register them. consultation with lawyer. LYNDA MORRIS
Beuys and students occupy offices. 13.10.72, Beuys has not arrived.
Beuys receives Rau's warning letter. Students realize meaning of past three days,
Occupation continues throughout night. no excitement just bland awareness of problems. Not just a few are
H-10-72 Administration in confusion.
6.45 am. Police called in by Kricke, acting New students want advice — lodgings ? — called, but everyone
Director; Beuys and students cleared from grants?
offices. Need Beuys to sign registration papers — will Joseph Beuys in discussion
Reporters and photographers arrive, so do his signature be accepted? with Georg Jappe
plain clothes political police. Students from many countries, including
Amidst activity Beuys continues discussing Britain and America — they came to work with BEUYS: I won't make a statement. I do often
his aims. Beuys — why stay if he is dismissed? talk at great length, but basically I don't speak
Messenger arrives from Rau with letter Huge roll of newsprint for more posters rolled in monologues — I answer questions that are
containing Beuys's instant dismissal. through Academy. put to me.
Beuys states he will continue teaching, with or Poster appears announcing meeting that Gj: That is the principle of your teaching, isn't
without pay. afternoon. it ? Tell me how a day goes on at the Academy.
Stunned disbelief that Beuys has actually Others define political dissension between JB: I go to the Academy every day, on
been dismissed. students. Some Maoist, some International Saturdays as well, and in the vacations if I
Posters and banners erected inside and Marxist or Anarchist, some just support Beuys. haven't pressing work to do elsewhere, like at
outside Academy. Division between united action, individual the 'Documenta' last summer. I haven't had a
action or both. holiday for years. Work is particularly fruitful
Rau refuses to visit Academy stating 'I cannot during the vacations because all the keenest
and will not allow myself to become a possible 11.45 am. Police arrive. students come then. And going in daily is
art object'. A deputy is sent in his place. Two students, boy and girl, come down from important so that one can talk to every one of
Meeting of students votes unanimously administrative offices. Had held demonstration them. Continuous work from morning to
against Beuys's dismissal. covered in red and white paint playing a guitar evening is important, too.
Students' council sends representatives to see and singing. Things start with answers to questions;
Kricke, demanding immediate reinstatement of They walk towards entrance, see police, run I can tell you, many of them are already
Beuys. back into building. at the gates waiting. But since there have
200 students march through streets of Police chase them down a long corridor. been these large classes I don't carry on
Düsseldorf. More students follow police. individual conversations — in a desperate
Meanwhile Beuys attends meeting of Ugly scuffle. situation like that private conversations aren't
Professors. Police hemmed in by a screen of objects so effective — so everyone can learn something
Eight of the 30 Professors vote for Beuys, hastily erected by other students. from every correction. That way each student
several remain uncommitted, leaving majority in Boy and girl on the floor, police attempt to learns from others' problems as well as his own.
favour of dismissal. move them, other students divert the police. Gj : Is that a sort of group therapy?
Kricke thinks about replacement for Beuys. Beuys arrives. No arrests. B : Yes. Private problems, too, — with some
Police retreat, but hang around for an hour. exceptions — are publicly discussed. It is part
of group therapy that people should put their
private hang-ups into words, and the questions
that have mounted up and whatever anyone has
on their mind. Sometimes it is really like a
special school for the handicapped, developing
the most primitive forms; the students bring
up the most diverse things, out of the sculpture,
painting and drawing fields. I have no fixed
teaching plan. Everyone must build upon the
basis of his own aim and then express it in a
question so that something is cleared up.