http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 08:52:23 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 08:52:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html#ref=rss Proving that bad taste never goes out of fashion, an exhibition opened in Hamburg this week that romps through decades of aesthetic atrocities, showcasing hideous design from the early 20th century to the present. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:41:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bad-taste-exhibition-in-hamburg-explores-design-crimes-a-900498.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html#ref=rss For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-joseph-beuys-biography-discloses-ties-to-nazis-a-900509.html For decades, Joseph Beuys has been exalted as a heroic icon of postwar avant-garde German art. But a new biography accuses him of having been a serial liar who never completely emancipated himself from the views of Nazism and a bizarre cult.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html#ref=rss Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in. Thu, 09 May 2013 12:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-hans-fischerkoesen-transformed-german-animation-a-898814.html Asthma forced Hans Fischerkoesen to spend most of his childhood in bed, but this period also ignited his imagination. In time, "Germany's Walt Disney" would go on to become an animation legend. But his career almost became derailed by World War II -- until Hitler stepped in.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html#ref=rss Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement? Wed, 08 May 2013 14:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/growing-concern-that-news-photos-are-being-excessively-manipulated-a-898509.html Even top news photographers have their work digitally enhanced these days. Mounting competition in the market for news images is forcing photo-journalists to make their output as dramatic as possible. But where are the limits of cosmetic improvement?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-a-898533.html#ref=rss Ai Weiwei of China is one of four artists who will represent Germany at the Venice Biennale in June. In a SPIEGEL interview, the artist discusses how he will participate in the event despite a travel ban imposed on him by the Chinese government. Tue, 07 May 2013 14:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-a-898533.html Ai Weiwei of China is one of four artists who will represent Germany at the Venice Biennale in June. In a SPIEGEL interview, the artist discusses how he will participate in the event despite a travel ban imposed on him by the Chinese government. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-sets-up-500-garden-gnome-statues-of-karl-marx-in-trier-a-898008.html#ref=rss Ottmar Hörl gained international notoriety in 2009 by designing garden gnomes giving Nazi salutes. Now he hopes to stimulate debate with 500 gnome-like figurines of Karl Marx in Trier, but he might not hit his mark. Fri, 03 May 2013 17:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/artist-sets-up-500-garden-gnome-statues-of-karl-marx-in-trier-a-898008.html Ottmar Hörl gained international notoriety in 2009 by designing garden gnomes giving Nazi salutes. Now he hopes to stimulate debate with 500 gnome-like figurines of Karl Marx in Trier, but he might not hit his mark.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-chinese-artist-zhao-zhao-a-897309.html#ref=rss In an interview, Chinese artist Zhao Zhao, who has a new exhibition in Berlin, discusses the state harassment he has experienced, his role as a troublemaker and why, recently, he is spending more time on his art than activism. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:42:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-chinese-artist-zhao-zhao-a-897309.html In an interview, Chinese artist Zhao Zhao, who has a new exhibition in Berlin, discusses the state harassment he has experienced, his role as a troublemaker and why, recently, he is spending more time on his art than activism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/art-forger-robert-driessen-reveals-how-he-made-giacometti-fakes-a-893132.html#ref=rss Robert Driessen is one of the most successful art forgers in the world. Over his 30 years of work, he came to specialize in creating forgeries of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. Now living in Thailand, out of the reach of European authorities, Driessen wants his story told. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/art-forger-robert-driessen-reveals-how-he-made-giacometti-fakes-a-893132.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/amsterdam-pumping-millions-into-art-museums-a-892084.html#ref=rss Half a billion euros is being spent in Amsterdam to renovate its major art museums. Will the city of canals and Van Goghs shed its grittier side and become the Florence of the 21st century? Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/amsterdam-pumping-millions-into-art-museums-a-892084.html Half a billion euros is being spent in Amsterdam to renovate its major art museums. Will the city of canals and Van Goghs shed its grittier side and become the Florence of the 21st century?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sexism-in-the-german-art-world-a-890378.html#ref=rss The art world is typically seen as open and progressive, even radical. But artists and curators in Germany say that, despite slow progress, the art scene is still plagued by widespread sexism and a conservative, macho culture. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/sexism-in-the-german-art-world-a-890378.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exhibition-highlights-aerial-photography-of-georg-gerster-a-890242.html#ref=rss After taking aerial shots in more than 100 countries over the last 50 years, photographer Georg Gerster's work in being celebrated with a new exhibition. The selection of works takes a look at how the global food supply and its problems appear from above. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:14:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exhibition-highlights-aerial-photography-of-georg-gerster-a-890242.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html#ref=rss Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:17:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-1970s-craze-for-lederhosen-porn-from-bavaria-germany-a-889164.html Four decades ago, the southern German state of Bavaria became the birthplace of a film genre like no other. The alpine meadows were rugged, the men wore lederhosen, the porn was soft -- and Germany was hooked. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/dispute-heats-up-between-germany-and-turkey-over-contested-artifacts-a-888398.html#ref=rss German museums and archaeologists fear that Turkey is punishing them for not repatriating contested artifacts. In a SPIEGEL interview, Turkish Culture Minister Ömer Çelik explains why Turkey is demanding both the artifacts and an apology. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/dispute-heats-up-between-germany-and-turkey-over-contested-artifacts-a-888398.html German museums and archaeologists fear that Turkey is punishing them for not repatriating contested artifacts. In a SPIEGEL interview, Turkish Culture Minister Ömer Çelik explains why Turkey is demanding both the artifacts and an apology.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/artist-christo-creates-largest-inflatable-object-big-air-package-a-888663.html#ref=rss American artist Christo is known for the enormous scale of his projects, but his next work in Germany is billed as the largest inflatable construction of all time. Climbing its stairs is like floating up into the interior of a surreal rain cloud. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:35:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/artist-christo-creates-largest-inflatable-object-big-air-package-a-888663.html American artist Christo is known for the enormous scale of his projects, but his next work in Germany is billed as the largest inflatable construction of all time. Climbing its stairs is like floating up into the interior of a surreal rain cloud.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/viral-photo-from-krakow-interview-with-photographer-marcin-ryczek-a-887299.html#ref=rss Polish photographer Marcin Ryczek's stunning image of swans at a Krakow riverbank went viral online recently, winning him global recognition. He tells SPIEGEL ONLINE about the moment that changed everything for him. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:45:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/viral-photo-from-krakow-interview-with-photographer-marcin-ryczek-a-887299.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-airport-artist-bjorn-melhus-suffers-from-airport-opening-delay-a-884628.html#ref=rss Berlin's new airport may not open for at least another year, but artwork commissioned for the terminal was completed on time. One digital project is growing technologically stale due to the delay. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:53:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-airport-artist-bjorn-melhus-suffers-from-airport-opening-delay-a-884628.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anne-sinclair-on-strauss-kahn-scandal-and-art-dealer-grandfather-a-882000.html#ref=rss Prominent French journalist Anne Sinclair was most recently in the headlines because of her husband, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. In a SPIEGEL interview, she discusses the scandal, her "magical" childhood in New York, and hobnobbing with the famous artists her grandfather represented. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:50:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/anne-sinclair-on-strauss-kahn-scandal-and-art-dealer-grandfather-a-882000.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/frankfurt-retrospective-celebrates-life-and-art-of-yoko-ono-a-880575.html#ref=rss A major new retrospective in Frankfurt aims to celebrate Yoko Ono's decades spent as a pioneering avant-garde artist and activist. It presents her as one of the most important figures in contemporary art history. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/frankfurt-retrospective-celebrates-life-and-art-of-yoko-ono-a-880575.html A major new retrospective in Frankfurt aims to celebrate Yoko Ono's decades spent as a pioneering avant-garde artist and activist. It presents her as one of the most important figures in contemporary art history. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-unsatisfactory-approach-to-art-looted-by-the-nazis-a-880363.html#ref=rss Adolf Hitler and his Nazi henchmen amassed huge amounts of valuable art, jewelry and other collectibles prior to and during World War II. It is a poisonous legacy which German museums and governments have failed to properly address. The moral disaster continues to the present day. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-unsatisfactory-approach-to-art-looted-by-the-nazis-a-880363.html Adolf Hitler and his Nazi henchmen amassed huge amounts of valuable art, jewelry and other collectibles prior to and during World War II. It is a poisonous legacy which German museums and governments have failed to properly address. The moral disaster continues to the present day.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/jealousy-and-corruption-rumors-surround-attack-on-bolshoi-director-a-880232.html#ref=rss The recent acid attack on the artistic director of the Bolshoi Theater has shocked Russia and the art world. As doctors fight to save his vision, rumors are circulating that the attack was prompted by professional jealousy, a ticket-scalping racket or sex. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/jealousy-and-corruption-rumors-surround-attack-on-bolshoi-director-a-880232.html The recent acid attack on the artistic director of the Bolshoi Theater has shocked Russia and the art world. As doctors fight to save his vision, rumors are circulating that the attack was prompted by professional jealousy, a ticket-scalping racket or sex. ]]>