Gustav Metzger at his first lecture demonstration at the Temple Gallery, London, June 1960 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Gustav Metzger was a visionary artist and radical thinker. At the heart of his practice, which spanned over 65 years, are a series of constantly opposing yet interdependent forces such as destruction and creation. Metzger’s involvement in anti-nuclear movements such as the Committee of 100 and his life-long activism to combat environmental destruction was fundamental to his provocative questioning of the role of artist and of conventional forms of artmaking and display. His auto-destructive art, meant as a public art form that would instigate social change, sought to provide a mirror of a social and political system that he felt was indifferently progressing towards total obliteration. He also sought to place the emphasis on action over creation of the art object, inviting viewers to interact with some of his work to heighten their impact.
Metzger was born in Nuremberg, Germany on 10 April 1926 to Polish-Jewish parents. He arrived in Britain on the Kindertransport in 1939 with his older brother. Most of their immediate family were killed in the Holocaust. From 1945 to 1953, Metzger studied art in Cambridge, London, Antwerp and Oxford and studied under the artist David Bomberg.
The artist’s legacy is profoundly rooted in activism in both the political and artistic realms. Metzger envisaged art as a means of communicating the futility and horrors of conflict and war. By 1958, Metzger had become heavily involved in anti-capitalist, anti-consumerist movements and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. In 1960, he was a founder member of the Committee of 100 and this led to a short imprisonment in 1961 with Bertrand Russell and other members of the Committee for encouraging mass non-violent civil disobedience.
Metzger’s political activism provided the foundation for his first manifesto in 1959, titled ‘Auto-Destructive Art,’ which he described ‘as a desperate last-minute subversive political weapon…an attack on the capitalist system… .’ That year he also created his first auto-destructive artworks by spraying acid onto sheets of nylon, which caused the disintegration of the work itself, as another form of anti-nuclear protest. Metzger went on to organise the seminal Destruction in Art Symposium in London in 1966, centred around destruction-themed events, talks and activities that brought together artists from all over the world, including Yoko Ono who first performed her ‘Cut Piece.’ This was later followed in 1974 by a call from Metzger for artists to support a three year Art Strike which was to run from 1977 to 1980, and he did, in fact, withdraw from the art world in those years.
The notion of creation is a continual counterpoint to themes of destruction throughout Metzger’s practice. Drawing on experiments first began in the mid-1960s for the exhibition ‘Extremes Touch’ in Swansea, he developed the principle of ‘auto-creative art,’ later explaining, ‘If you look at the first manifesto for auto-destructive art, the term ‘auto-creative art’ receives more prominence, so there’s a side of my activity that has to do with growth and opening to the endless in life and art.’
An enduring interest in science began in Metzger’s formative years and played a significant role in the development of his work throughout his entire life. In 1965, he used liquid crystals that were magnified and projected onto walls as the basis for one of his most well-known works, ‘Liquid Crystal Environment.’ Through his experimentation with liquid crystals and dedication to the effects of aesthetic beauty on the human experience, Metzger explored what he described as ‘the use of art to recharge the human being who can tend towards depletion or collapse.’ He also developed the idea of using computer technology for art long before many of his contemporaries.
In 1995, Metzger began his ‘Historic Photographs’ series—large, complex installations that sought to confront people with some of the most powerful and tragic images of events from recent history. ‘To Crawl Into—Anschluss, Vienna, March 1938’ (1996) features an enlarged image of Jewish people being made to scrub the streets on their hands and knees, hidden under a large piece of cloth that obscures the entire image, which lays directly on the floor. This work challenges the viewer to crawl under the fabric and directly onto the image to see it – and in doing so, puts the viewer into an uncomfortable position that mimics those in the picture. As he explained: ‘Challenge and risk are integral to the work. And risks are what life is all about: some of them we are aware of; some of them we evade.’
Gustav Metzger
Biography
Print BiographySelected Solo Exhibitions
Kunstraum München, 'Gustav Metzger. Revisited', Munich, Germany
Merz Barn, 'Gustav Metzger at the Merz Barn', Elterwater, UK
Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 'Gustav Metzger', Bruton, UK
Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, 'Gustav Metzger. Uncovering the Early Years (1945-59)', London, UK
mfc-michèle didier, 'Gustav Metzger', Paris, France
Ecart, 'Gustav Metzger', Basel, Switzerland
MAMAC Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, 'Gustav Metzger. Remember Nature', Nice, France
Fundación Jumex, 'We Must Become Idealists or Die', Mexico City, Mexico
Kunsthall Oslo / Stiftelsen Kunstnernes Hus, 'Extremes Touch' / 'Liquid Crystal Environment', Oslo, Norway (Part of the project 'Act or Perish! Gustav Metzger. A Retrospective')
Centre of Contemporary Art, 'Act or Perish! Gustav Metzger. A Retrospective', Toruń, Poland
Kettle’s Yard, 'Gustav Metzger. Lift Off!', Cambridge, UK
e-flux, 'Gustav Metzger', New York NY
Kunsthalle Basel, 'In Memoriam. New Works', Basel, Switzerland
Cubitt Gallery, 'Eichmann and the Angel', London, UK
Norwich Gallery, 'EASTinternational: selector Gustav Metzger', Norwich, UK
Hahnentorburg, 'Passiv – Explosiv', Cologne, Germany
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts, Executive Profile (within The Body as a Medium of Expression), London, 1972
LAMDA Theatre Club, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, 'Liquid Crystals in Art', London, UK
14 Monmouth Street, 'Cardboards', London, UK
Selected Group Exhibitions
Amos Rex, 'Subterranean', Helsinki, Finland
El Museo del Barrio, 'Raphael Montañez Ortiz. A Contextual Survey', New York NY
Tate Liverpool, 'Radical Landscapes', Liverpool, UK
Bischöfliche Mensa, Museum Stift Stams, 'Edith Stein', Innsbruck, Austria
Palazzo delle Esposizioni, 'Ti Con Zero', Rome, Italy
Kunsthausbaselland, 'Afterlight.Afterglow. Video Installations and their Pioneers', Basel, Switzerland
Fondazione Prada, 'Stop Painting', Venice, Italy
Sprengel Museum, 'How to Survive', Hannover, Germany
Dvir Gallery, 'Lacrimae Rerum. Homage to Gustav Metzger – Part II', Tel Aviv, Israel
Dvir Gallery, 'Lacrimae Rerum. Homage to Gustav Metzger', Brussels, Belgium
Palazzo Grassi, Punta della Dogana, 'Untiltled, 2020. Three Perspectives on The Art on the Art of the Present', Venice, Italy
Martin Gropius Bau, 'Walking Through Walls', Berlin, Germany
Galleria d’Italia, Intesa San Paolo, 'Art and Technology', Milan, Italy
NYUAD Art Gallery, 'Ways of Seeing', Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Jewish Museum, Tolerance Centre, 'Anne Frank. Holocaust Diaries', Moscow, Russia
CASSTL, 'Eichmann and the Angel', Antwerp, Belgium
Himalayas Museum, 'Shanghai Project. Shanghai Zendai', Shanghai, China
Haus der Kunst, 'Postwar. Art Between the Pacific and the Atlantic, 1945-1965', Munich, Germany
Centre Pompidou, 'Sublime', Metz, France
documenta, 'documenta (13)', Kassel, Germany
Marianne Boesky Gallery, 'The Nature of Disappearance', New York NY
Gropius Bau, 'Art and Press', Berlin, Germany
Gwangju Biennale, '8th Gwangju Biennale', Gwangju, South Korea
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts, 'Artists‘ favourites – act I', London, UK
P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, 'Signatures of the Invisible', New York NY
Biennale de Lyon, '7e Biennale de Lyon. C ́est arrivé demain', Lyon, France
La Biennale di Venezia, '50th International Art Exhibition. Dreams and Conflicts – The Dictatorship of the Viewer', Venice, Italy
South London Gallery, 'Independence', London, UK
Migros Museum, 'St. Petrischnee', Zurich, Switzerland
Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 'Strike', Wolverhampton, UK
Whitechapel Art Gallery, 'Live in Your Head. Concept and Experiment in Britain 1965-75', London, UK
Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 'Look Out. Art/Society/Politics', Wolverhampton, UK
Whitechapel Art Gallery, 'Protest and Survive', London, UK
Provinciaal Fotografie Museum, 'Laboratorium', Antwerpen, Belgien
John Hansard Gallery, 'Sublime. The Darkness and the Light. Works from the Arts Council Collection', Southhampton, UK
MAK Museum für Angewandte Kunst, 'Out of Actions. Between Performance and the Object, 1949-1979', Vienna, Austria (Travelling Exhibition)
MACBA Museu d’Art Contemporani, 'Out of Actions. Between Performance and the Object, 1949-1979', Barcelona, Spain (Travelling Exhibition)
Museum of Contemporary Art, 'Out of Actions. Between Performance and the Object, 1949-1979', Tokyo, Japan (Travelling Exhibition)
Whitechapel Art Gallery, 'Speed – Visions of an Accelerated Age', London, UK
Centre Culturel de Belém, 'Life/Live. La scène artistique au Royaume-Uni en 1996', Lisbon, Portugal (Travelling Exhibition)
City Racing, 'Made New. Barry Flanagan, Tim Mapston, Gustav Metzger, Alfred Jarry', London, UK
Gallery House, '3 Life Situations', London, UK
Arts Council of Great Britain / Hayward Gallery, 'Kinetics', London, UK
'Computers and Visual Research', Zagreb, Socialist Republic of Croatia
Moderna Museet, 'Bewogen Beweging', Stockholm, Sweden (Travelling Exhibition)
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 'Bewogen Beweging', Humlebaek, Denmark (Travelling Exhibition)
Academy Hall, 'London Group', London, UK
Lectures/Demonstrations
Heretics Society, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, [Lecture/Demonstration], London, UK
Lectures/Symposiums/Conferences
Ster Century Cinema / Leeds Metropolitan University, 'The Third Culture' [lecture at 'Zygmunt Baumann and Gustav Metzger', within the tutorial 'On Liquid Modernity'], Leeds, UK
Gulbenkian Foundation, 'Nothing … Nada! ' [Symposium], Lisbon, Portugal
Ecology Centre & Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, 'On Extinction', London, UK
Bernard Sunley Lecture Theatre, St. Catherine’s College, 'Time in our time: to the stars' and 'Art in time: Happening and Fluxus' [lecture within the solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford], Oxford, UK
SOAS School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 'Seminar 3: Band Widths' [in 'Frequencies: Investigations into culture, history and technology', London, UK
University College of London, 'Historic Photographs: Representing Extremes?' [conference 'Speaking the Unspeakable: Representing the Holocaust in the Verbal, Visual and Plastic Arts'], London, UK
Friday Event, Glasgow School of Art / Glasgow Film Theatre, 'Earth to Galaxies. On Destruction and Destructivity', Glasgow, UK
CCA Centre for Contemporary Art, 'From DIAS to Dunblane' [within 'In Memory of DIAS', with Ross Birrell and Stewart Home], Glasgow, UK
East West Gallery, 'Mad Cows Talk', London, UK
Goldsmiths College, 'On Sustainability' [tutorial at 'John Wood’s Design Futures Programme'], London, UK
Hanbury Street Hall, 'The Exclusion of the Spectator in Art', London, UK
University College of London, 'Vermeer and Freud’s Fetish Theory' [lecture at 'Dutch Past'], London, UK
Leicester Polytechnic & Kingston Polytechnic, 'Ethics of the Art/Science/Technology Link', Leicester, UK
Brunel University, [two lectures at the congress 'Computer Graphics ’70'], Uxbridge, UK
Slade School of Fine Art, University College of London, 'The Social Relevance of Art', London, UK
Bristol Arts Centre, 'The Aesthetic of Revulsion', Bristol, UK
Bibliography
Selected Monographs
Kyander, Pontus, Wilson, Andrew, Copeland, Mathieu (et al.), 'Gustav Metzger. Act or perish! A Retrospective', Rome: Nero, Toruń: Centre of Contemporary Art Znaki Czasu, ill. (exh. cat.)
Gilchrist, Bruce, Joelson, Jo , 'Null Object: Gustav Metzger Thinks About Nothing', London: Black Dog, 2012, ill.
Morris, Lynda (ed.), 'EASTinternational: selector Gustav Metzger', Norwich: Norwich Gallery, 2005, ill.
Kunsthalle Nürnberg (ed.), 'Gustav Metzger. Ein Schnitt entlang der Zeit', Nuremberg: Verlag für moderne Kunst Nürnberg, 1999, ill. (exh. cat.)
van Diest, Antje, 'Gustav Metzger. London Art in the Sixties', Leiden: Leiden University, 1992, unpublished (diss.)
Artist's Books & Writings
Metzger, Gustav, Davis, Ivor, Gibbs, Michael, 'Is that an apple?', in: 'Art Monthly', London, December 1997-January 1998, pp. 2-3
Metzger, Gustav, 'Earth to Galaxies. On Destruction and Destructivity', in: Büchler, Pavel, Esche, Charles (eds.), 'Earth to Galaxies. On Destruction and Destructivity' [Tramline No. 5], Glasgow: Glasgow School of Art, 1996, pp. 7-12
Metzger, Gustav, in: Bossé, Laurence, Obrist, Hans Ulrich (eds.), 'Life/live : la scène artistique au Royaume-Uni en 1996, de nouvelles aventures' [2 Vol.], Paris: Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, 1996
Metzger, Gustav, 'Mad Cows Talk' [lecture manuscript], 1996, in: Hoffmann, Justin (ed.), 'Gustav Metzger. Manifeste, Schriften, Konzepte', Munich: Verlag Silke Schreiber, 1997, pp. 51-65
Metzger, Gustav, [Text on the reconstruction of 'Cardboards' for the exhibition 'Made New. Barry Flanagan, Tim Mapston, Gustav Metzger, Alfred Jarry' at City Racing, London, UK], London: City Racing, 20 October 1996 (Single sheet)
Metzger, Gustav, 'Kollektiv Cordula Frowein, Gustav Metzger, Klaus Staeck [Passiv – Explosiv]. Pressegespräch' [single page text], Cologne: Hahnentorburg, 1981
Metzger, Gustav, 'Passiv – Explosiv. Entwurf einer Ausstellung' [two pages text], Cologne: Hahnentorburg, 1981
Metzger, Gustav, Beuys, Joseph, 'Information Action' [Video transcription of Joseph Beuys action in the Tate Gallery, 25 February 1972; includes a dialogue between Gustav Metzger and Joseph Beuys; inv. no. TAV 616AB], London: Tate Gallery Archive, 1972
Metzger, Gustav, 'Executive Profile' [single page text], London: Institute of Contemporary Arts, 1972
Metzger, Gustav, 'From the City Pages', in: 'Studio International', London, December 1972, pp. 210-211
Metzger, Gustav, 'Notes on Recent Work' / 'Projects for "British Thing" Show', in: 'Prismavis', Hovikødden, no. 4, September 1972
Metzger, Gustav, 'Second Floor...', in: 'Newssheet. Gallery House', London, no. 1, 1972
Metzger, Gustav, 'Stockholm June: ein Projekt für Stockholm 1. bis 15. Juni 1972', in: Szeemann, Harald, Grüterich, Marlis, von den Velden, Katia (eds.), 'documenta 5' [Section 16], Kassel: Verlag Documenta, Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Verlag, 1972, pp. 55-56 (exh. cat.)
Metzger, Gustav (ed.), 'PAGE. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 20-27, February-December 1972
Metzger, Gustav, 'Sculpture with Power', in: Concheiro, A. Alonso (ed.), 'Memoria de la Conferencia Internacional sobre Sistemas, Redes y Computadoras', Mexico: IEEE, 1971
Metzger, Gustav, 'Untitled Paper on Theme Number Three for "Computer and Visual Research Symposium", Zagreb 1969', in: 'Bit International', Zagreb, no. 7, 1971
Metzger, Gustav (ed.), 'PAGE. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 13-19, January-December 1971
Metzger, Gustav, 'Five Screens with Computer' / 'Design Studies...', in: 'Tendencije 4. Zagreb, 1968-1969. Computers and Visual Research', Zagreb: Galerija Suvremene Umjetnosti, 1970 (exh. cat.)
Metzger, Gustav, 'Gordon Hyde', in: 'PAGE. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 11, October 1970
Metzger, Gustav, 'International Coalition for the Liquidation of Art' [single page text], London, 15 October 1970
Metzger, Gustav, 'Kinetics', in: 'Art and Artists', London, September 1970
Metzger, Gustav, 'New Ideas in Plotter Design Construction and Output' [lecture at “Computer Graphics ’70”], London 1970, unpublished
Metzger, Gustav, 'Notes on the Crisis in Technological Art' / '4 Manifestos by Gustav Metzger', in: 'Klepht', Swansea, no. 1, January 1970
Metzger, Gustav, 'Social Responsibility and the Computer Professional: The Rise of an Idea in America. Part 1', in: 'Page. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 11, October 1970
Metzger, Gustav (ed.), 'PAGE. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 6-12, February-November 1970
Metzger, Gustav, 'Automata in History' [Part 2], in: 'Studio International', London, October 1969, pp. 109-117
Metzger, Gustav, 'Five Screens with Computer (1963-69)', in: 'Event One', London: Computer Arts Society, 1969 (exh. cat.)
Metzger, Gustav, 'Notes on the Crisis in Technological Art' [single page text handed out at 'Post Mortem on Event One', British Computer Society], London, 3 April 1969
Metzger, Gustav, 'Statements', in: 'Circuit', Cambridge, no. 10/11, 1969
Metzger, Gustav (ed.), 'PAGE. Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society', London, no. 1-5, April-November 1969
Metzger, Gustav, 'Five Screens with Computer', in: 'Cybernetic Serendipity. The Computer and the Arts. Special Issue of "Studio International"', London, 1968, p. 31, ill.
Metzger, Gustav, 'Theory of Auto-Destructive Art', in: 'Calendar of the (only shortly existing) Anti-University', London, 1968
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS-Information' [single page text], London, no. 5, March 1968
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS-Information' [single page text], London, no. 4, September 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS-Information' [single page text], London, no. 3, August 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS-Information' [single page text], London, no. 2, June 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS-Information' [single page text], London, no. 1, March 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'Manifest 1961', in: 'dé-coll/age', Cologne, no. 6, July 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'Briefe von Gustav Metzger an Wolf Vostell', in: 'dé-coll/age', Cologne, no. 6, July 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS Preliminary Report', in: 'dé-coll/age', Cologne, no. 6, July 1967
Metzger, Gustav, 'Art of Liquid Crystals' [single page text], London: Better Books, January 1966
Metzger, Gustav, 'Auto-Destructive Art' [Letter to the editor in answer to an article on Lecture/Demonstration at the Architectural Association], in: 'Anarchy Magazine', London, no. 64, June 1966
Metzger, Gustav, 'DIAS', in: 'Resurgence', London, vol. 1, no. 4, November/December 1966
Metzger, Gustav, 'Excerpts from Selected Papers Presented at the 1966 Destruction in Art Symposium', in: 'Studio International', London, December 1966, pp. 282-283
Metzger, Gustav, 'Gustav Metzger', in: 'Art and Artists. Auto-Destructive', London, vol. 1, no. 5, August 1966
Metzger, Gustav, 'The possibility of Auto-Destructive Architecture', in: 'Clip-Kit. Studies in Environmental Design' [Independent publication of students at the Architectural Association], London, no. 2, 1966
Metzger, Gustav, 'Auto-Destructive Art: Metzger at AA' [Extended version of the lecture given at the Architectural Association on 24 February 1965], in: 'ACC', London, June 1965
Metzger, Gustav, 'Auto-Destructive Art', in: 'Granta', Cambridge, vol. 71, no. 12457, 6 November 1965
Metzger, Gustav, 'North End protest – answer to Mayor' [Letter to the editor], in: 'Lynn News and Advertiser', King’s Lynn, 20 December 1957
Metzger, Gustav, 'Old Church Art', King’s Lynn: King’s Lynn Festival, 1957 (exh. cat.)
Manifestos
Publications
Boon, Marcus, Levine, Gabriel, 'Practice', Cambridge: MIT Press, 2018
Spieker, Sven (ed.), 'Destruction', London: Whitechapel Gallery, Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2017
Copeland, Mathieu, Lovay, Balthazar (eds.), 'The Anti-Museum. An Anthology', Freiburg im Üechtland: Fri Art, London: Walther König, 2017, ill.
Moloney, Ciara, 'Kaleidoscope: Modern Art Oxford 50th anniversary', Oxford: Modern Art Oxford, 2016, ill. (exh .cat.)
Copeland, Mathieu (ed.), 'Voids. A Retrospective', Zurich: JRP Ringier, Geneva: Ecart Publications, 2009, ill. (exh. cat.)
Breitwieser, Sabine (ed.), 'Modernologies. Contemporary artists researching modernity and modernism', Barcelona: Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, 2009, ill. (exh. cat.)
Henie-Onstad kunstsenter (ed.), 'Going to market', Høvikodden: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, 2009, ill. (exh. cat.)
Eliasson, Olafur, Obrist, Hans Ulrich, Brockman, John (eds.), 'Experiment Marathon. Hans Ulrich Obrist & Olafur Eliasson', London: Walther König, 2009, ill. (exh. cat.)
Franzen, Brigitte, König, Kasper, Plath, Carina (eds.), 'Skulptur projekte Münster 07', Cologne: Walther König, ill. (exh. cat.)
Scholte, Tatja, Hoen, Paulien't, 'Preservation and presentation of installation art', Amsterdam: ICN, ś-Hertogenbosch: SBMK, 2007 (exh. cat.)
Stange, Raimar, Galerie Gebr. Lehmann (eds.), 'The Evil', Cologne: DuMont, 2007, ill. (exh. cat.)
Matzner, Florian, 'Water found on Mars. Eva Maria Weinmayr. Gustav Metzger', Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2006
Bonami, Francesco (ed.), 'Dreams and Conflicts. The Dictatorship of the Viewer. 50th International Art Exhibition', Venice: La Biennale di Venezia/Marsilio Editori, 2003, p. 306 (exh. cat.)
Munder, Heike, Gygax, Raphael (eds.), 'St. Petrischnee', Zurich: Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, 2003 (exh. cat.)
van Tujl, Gijs, Meyric-Hughes, Henry, 'Blast to Freeze. British Art in the 20th Century', Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2002, pp. 214-220 (exh. cat.)
Wade, Gavin, 'Strike', London: Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 2002 (exh. cat.)
Kemp, Martin, 'Visualizations, the "Nature" Book of Art and Science', Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000, pp. 144-145
Morrison-Bell, Cynthia, Slyce, John, 'Look Out. Art/Society/Politics', London: DPICT, 2000 (exh. cat.)
Phillpot, Clive, Tarsia, Andrea (eds.), 'Live in Your Head. Concept and Experiment in Britain 1965-75', London: Whitechapel Art Gallery, 2000, pp. 9-15, 130-131
Hayward Gallery (ed.), 'Sublime: the darkness and the light ¬¬– Works from the Arts Council collection', London: Hayward Gallery, 1999 (exh. cat.)
Unterdörfer, Michaela, 'Form ist das Wichtigste oder Ich würde niemals meine Arbeiten nur als Kunst betrachten' [interview], in: Bowron, Astrid, Unterdörfer, Michaela, 'Gustav Metzger. Ein Schnitt entlang der Zeit', Nuremberg: Kunsthalle Nürnberg/Verlag für moderne Kunst Nürnberg, 1999, pp. 29-46
Schimmel, Paul (ed.), 'Out of Actions ¬– Between Performance and the Object 1949-1978', Los Angeles: Museum Of Contemporary Art, 1998, pp. 88, 272-273 (exh. cat.)
Stilles, Kristine, 'Art and Technology', in: Stilles, Kristine, Selz, Peter, 'Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art. A Sourcebook of Artists’ Writings', Berkley: University of California Press, 1996, pp. 384-396
Stilles, Kristine, 'Selected Comments on Destruction in Art', in: Adriaansen, Alex, Brouwer, Joke (eds.), 'Boek voor de Instabiele Media (Book for the unstable Media)', Rotterdam: V2 Publishing, 1992
Joachimides, Christos (ed.), 'Joseph Beuys Richtkräfte', Berlin: Nationalgalerie Berlin, 1977, pp. 5-6, 23, 32 (exh. cat.)
Kelemen, Boris, Putar, Radoslav (eds.), 'Dialogue with the Machine' [reprint of 'Bit International', Zagreb, no. 7, 1971], Zagreb: Bit International/Galerija Grada, 1971 (exh. cat.)
Hayward Gallery (ed.), 'Kinetics', London: Arts Council of Great Britain, 1970 (exh. cat.)
Sohm, Hanns (ed.), 'Happening und Fluxus: Materialien', Cologne: Kölnischer Kunstverein, 1970 (exh. cat.)
Sharp, Willoughby, 'Chronology of Kineticism', in: Amel Gallery (ed.), 'Tsai', New York: Amel Gallery, 1965 (exh. cat.)
Seitz, William, 'The Art of Assemblage', New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1961, pp. 87-92 (exh. cat.)
Press
BBC-TV, 'Politics and Performance' [part 3 of the documentary series 'Art and The Sixties', directed by Vanessa Engle], July 2004
Renton, Andrew, 'The daddy of destruction', in: The Evening Standard, London, 27 July 2004
Jones, Alison, 'Introduction to the Historic Photographs of Gustav Metzger', on: ucl.ac.uk/forum-for-holocaust-studies, July 2004
Arts Council England, 'Pioneers in Art and Science: Metzger' [documentary directed by Ken McMullen], June 2004
October Gallery, 'From DIAS to Punk' [video recording of the panel discussion with Gustav Metzger, John Dunbar, John Hopkins, Barry Miles, Andrew Wilson], 2004
Ardenne, Pierre (et al.), 'C’est arrivé demain. 7e Biennale d’art contemporain, Lyon', in: Art Press, Paris, no. 293, September 2003
Suchin, Peter, 'Gustav Metzger. t1+2 Artspace, London', in: Frieze, London, no. 75, May 2003
Schürenberg, Barbara, 'Dialog mit Gabelstapler', in: Die Welt, Berlin, 11 April 2003
Garlake, Margaret, 'Blast to Freeze, Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg', in: Art Monthly, London, April 2003
Resonance 104.4fm, 'You Are Hear' [radio broadcasting with Gustav Metzger and Stewart Home], 24 February 2003
Hackworth, Nick, 'Signs of Subversion in a derelict gin factory', in: Evening Standard, London, 30 January 2003
Ford, Simon, 'Technological Kindergarten. Gustav Metzger and Early Computer Art', in: Mute, London, no. 26, 2003
Kraushaar, Wolfgang, 'Gitarrenzertrümmerung. Gustav Metzger, die Idee des autodestruktiven Kunstwerks und deren Folgen in der Rockmusik', in: Mittelweg 36. Zeitschrift des Hamburger Instituts für Sozialforschung, Hamburg, vol. 10, no. 1, February-March 2001
Cumming, Laura, 'Revisit 1967, you bourgeois sucker', in: The Observer, London, 13 February 2000
Hoffmann, Justin, 'Gustav Metzger. Kunsthalle Nürnberg', in: Springerin, Vienna, vol. 5, no. 3, September-November 1999, pp. 71-72
Christofori, Ralf, 'Die Kunst des Autokreativen Handelns', in: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurt am Main, 13 August 1999, p. 44
Searle, Adrian, 'Tale of the Mermaid', in: The Guardian, London, 6 July 1999, pp. 10-11
Hauschild, Joachim, 'Finster entschlossen zur Kritik. München Dream City', in: Art. Das Kunstmagazin, Hamburg, no. 6, June 1999, p. 96
Wege, Astrid, 'In der Glaskugel', in: Texte zur Kunst, Cologne, no. 34, June 1999, pp. 157-162
Schütz, Heinz, 'Dream City', in: Kunstforum International, Cologne, vol. 145, May-June 1999, p. 312
Jeffreys, David, 'Yoko Ono, Gustav Metzger, Ilya Kabakov', in: The Burlington Magazine, London, April 1999, pp. 242-243
Müller, Dorothee, 'Leben im Widerstand' [interview], in: Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich, 25 March 1999, p. 22
Dattenberger, Simone, 'Ich bleibe auf der Schwelle', in: Münchner Merkur, Munich, 20-21 March 1999
Labelle Roujoux, Arnaud, 'Gustav Metzger, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford', in: Art Press, Paris, no. 244, March 1999, pp. 70-71
Wallace, Christopher Martin, 'Intimate Auto-Destruction, Gustav Metzger at Spacex Gallery, Exeter. February/March 1999', on: tangents.co.uk, February/March 1999
Archer, Michael, 'Gustav Metzger, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford', in: Artforum International, New York, February 1999, p. 107
Kuhn, Nicola, 'Unerhörter Warner in der Wüste – Abgetaucht, wieder entdeckt, missverstanden: Die "Young British Artists" lieben Gustav Metzger', in: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, 20 December 1998, p. 27
Cork, Richard, 'Finger on the Self-destruct Button', in: The Times, London, 15 December 1998, p. 33
Weiner, Julia, 'Chasids and acids', in: Jewish Chronicle, London, 4 December 1998
Jones, Alison, 'The assault course', in: Socialist Review, London, no. 225, December 1998
Flint, Rob, 'Art Attack', in: Red Pepper, London, December 1998, pp. 25-26
Collings, Matthew, 'Dropping acid. Gustav Metzger, Art and Language and Bank', in: The Observer, London, 8 November 1998, p. 10
___, 'Blow up', in: Scene, London, November 1998, p. 15
Jones, Jonathan, 'Guru in a gasmask', in: The Guardian, London, 31 October 1998
O’Rorke, Imogen, 'Back on the road to ruin', in: The Independent, London, 26 October 1998
Hervé, Louise, 'Gustav Metzger', in: Les cahiers de la sculpture, London/Paris, no. 10/98, October 1998
O. W., 'Disappearing act', in: The Art Newspaper, London, no. 85, October 1998
Jones, Alison, 'Gustav Metzger Interview with Alison Jones' [interview], on: ucl.ac.uk/forum-for-holocaust-studies, London, 14 August 1998
Hauffen, Michael, 'Gustav Metzger: Manifeste, Schriften, Konzepte', in: Kunstforum International, Cologne, vol. 141, July-September 1998, p. 487
Palmer, Judith, 'Talks Judith Palmer', in: The Independent, London, 22 June 1998, p. 12
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts, [Video interview by Andrew Wilson at the ICA, London], 1998
Puvogel, Renate, '"Out of Actions". Between Performance and the Object 1949-1979', in: Eikon. Internationale Zeitschrift für Photographie und Medienkunst, Vienna, no. 24, 1998, pp. 56-57
Hoffmann, Justin, 'Die Erfindung des Art Strike' [interview], in: Vierte Hilfe, Munich, Winter 1997/98, pp. 54-57
Fricke, Harald, 'Vom Säureattentat zum Rinderwahnsinn', in: Tageszeitung, Berlin, 5 November 1997, p. 17
Obrist, Hans Ulrich, [Video interview with Gustav Metzger by Hans Ulrich Obrist], November 1997
Maier, Anne, 'Gustav Metzger im Kunstraum', in: Das Kunst-Bulletin, Zurich, no. 9, September 1997, pp. 48-49
National Sound Archive, British Library, [Interview series by Clive Phillpot], 1997
Wilson, Andrew, 'Life versus Art', in: Art Monthly, London, November 1996
Cutts, Simon, van Horn, Erica, [interview], in: JAB – The Journal of Artists’ Books, Chicago, no. 5, Spring 1996
Rosenthal, Norman, 'Gustav Metzger', in: Turner, London, 1996
Stiles, Kristine, 'Auto-Destructive Art', in: Turner, London, 1996
Walker, John A., 'Message from the Margin', in: Art Monthly, London, October 1995, pp. 14-17
Stiles, Kristine, 'Introduction to the Destruction in Art Symposium: DIAS'/'Discussion with Ivor Davies', in: Link, Grosmont, vol. 52, September 1987, pp. 4-10
___, 'Passiv – Explosiv', in: Monochrom, Cologne, 1981
Joachimides, Christos, 'Art into Society', in: Kunstforum, Mainz, vol. 13, February-April 1975
Musgrave, Victor, 'The Unknown Art Movement', in: Free Fluxus Now. Special Issue of 'Art and Artists', London, October 1972, pp. 12-14
Bowen, Denis, 'Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery House, London', in: Arts Review, London, vol. XXIV, no. 8, 22 April 1972
Benthall, Jonathan, [untitled], in: Colóquio Artes, Lisbon, no. 4, October 1971
Fuller, Peter, 'The LSD of Art', in: New Society, London, 9 July 1970
Feaver, William, 'Arte Povera', in: London Magazine, London, vol. 9, no. 12, March 1970, pp. 97-101
Benthall, Jonathan, 'Art and Technology' [Part 1], in: Studio International, London, May 1969, p. 212
BBC-TV, 'Art in Europe Since 1945' [documentary directed by Nancy Thomas, Paul Overy], February 1969
Reichardt, Jasia (ed.), 'Cybernetic Serendipity. The Computer and the Arts', in: Special issue of 'Studio International', London, 1969
Williams, Sheldon, 'Scapegoats and Outsiders and Artists in Danger', in: Help, London, 1968
Reichardt, Jasia, 'Some Notes on the Brighton Conference', in: Studio International, London, June 1967, pp. 278-279
___, 'Miles Interviews Pete Townshend', in: International Times, London, 13 February 1967
Prosser, John, 'Photoreport on DIAS', in: Art and Artists, London, October 1966
Amaya, Mario, 'Destruction in Art… What are They Trying to Prove?', in: London Life, London, 8 October 1966
Houédard, Dom Sylvester, 'The Aesthetics of the Death Wish', in: Art and Artists, London, August 1966
Amaya, Mario (ed.), 'Art and Artists. Auto-Destructive', London, vol. 1, no. 5, August 1966
Blackburn, Susan, 'If You Had 200 Pound to Spend on Art', in: Weekend Telegraph, London, 10 June 1966
Clay, Jean, 'Art Should Change Man: Commentary from Stockholm', in: Studio International, London, March 1966, pp. 116-120
Smith, John, 'Correction', in: AA Journal, London, May 1965
Oliver, Paul, 'Auto-Destructive Art', in: AA Journal, London, April 1965
Smith, John, 'Editor’s Viewpoint', in: AA Journal, London, March 1965
Plagemann, Stephen, 'Auto-Destructive Art', in: Sinistra, Cambridge, 1965
Reichardt, Jasia, 'Expendable Art', in: Architectural Design, London, October 1960, pp. 421-422
Arrowsmith, Pat, 'Auto-Destructive Art', in: Peace News, London, July 1960
Reichardt, Jasia, 'The Art of Suicide', in: Time and Tide, London, 25 June 1960
Rydon, John, 'Modern art will fall to bits', in: Daily Express, London, 15 March 1960
Bullock, Michael, 'Cardboards' [publication of the first model for the Auto-Destructive Monument], in: Art News and Review, London, 1960
Rydon, John, 'It’s Pictures from Packing Cases', in: Daily Express, London, 12 November 1959
___, 'Protest Marchers arrested at the Thor Site' [on the Rocket Base Marches], in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 23 December 1958, front page, ill.
___, 'Violent Scenes at Missile Base' [on the Rocket Base Marches], in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 9 December 1958, front page, ill.
___, 'Champion of Lynn North End Speaks Out', in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 19 November 1957, p. 3
___, 'For and against road through North End', in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 26 November 1957, front page, ill.
___, 'Mr. Metzger takes North End cause to London', in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 10 December 1957, front page, ill.
___, 'Mayor answers the critics', in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 13 December 1957, front page
___, 'Civic Society Chairman meets "Champion" on VHF', in: Lynn News and Advertiser, King’s Lynn, 17 December 1957, front page
News
View allMuseum Exhibitions
View allEarth Minus Environment