2024-11-07 11:32:00
Who am I? How am I? And how did I become? “There is no other contemporary artist who asks himself these questions as often and as radically as Jim Dine,” explained Albertina General Director Klaus Albrecht Schröder on Thursday at the presentation of the new exhibition of the American artist, who turns 90 next year. celebrates birthday. “His entire work is a single self-portrait with recurring subjects.”
Regardless of whether they are etchings, woodcuts or lithographs – the 37 works collected in the show from more than six decades always fall back on defining motifs: Hearts dominate in Dine’s print work, 400 of which are in the Albertina collection thanks to a donation , birds, Pinocchio and finally the self-portrait. According to Schröder, each image reflects “deeply autobiographical moments.” In his various “Pinocchio” pictures, the artist repeatedly uses a formative childhood memory of watching the Disney film in the cinema with his mother. The topos of the maturation of a personality never left him.
It’s the same with the “tools”: whether it’s a hammer, saw or pliers – Dine always focuses on tools. Here too, the tool shop run by his grandfather was formative, and the processing in his art was a “commentary on childhood,” says Schröder. This closeness becomes particularly tangible in the large-format color woodcut entitled “Asleep with his Tools Jim dreams” from 2018. The bathrobe series, in which Dine portrays himself in various poses without a head, also addresses his sensitivities. The artist, who has repeatedly been incorrectly attributed to Pop Art, switched to this when the representation of the self was rejected in the art world in the 1960s.
The recurring motif of the raven is also located in childhood, as Schröder told an anecdote from Dine’s childhood. He once encountered a talking raven in a zoo that said, “I’m Jim,” which deeply disturbed the child. The choice of means also dates back to early days: as a left-handed person with poor spelling, he had a hard time at school, the artist told the assembled journalists. Here printmaking (Schröder: “Drawing is the most direct thing, printing is the most indirect thing there is”) was a liberation. “I discovered pressure as a teenager and never stopped,” Dine said. “Seeing everything in mirror image is ideal for me.”
And so, according to co-curator Constanze Malissa, the presentation is a “considerable and thoughtful exhibition.” It is “by no means a summary, but rather a development path”; Dine is still constantly working. For Klaus Albrecht Schröder it is a farewell. It is his last exhibition at the house, which he will hand over to his successor Ralph Gleis at the end of December after 25 years.
(SERVICE – Exhibition “Jim Dine” in the Tietze Gallery of the Albertina. November 8th to March 23rd, 2025. www.albertina.at)
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**Interview with Klaus Albrecht Schröder, General Director of the ALBERTINA Museum**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Klaus. The upcoming exhibition featuring Jim Dine sounds fascinating. Can you tell us why Dine’s work resonates so deeply with themes of self-identity?
**Klaus Albrecht Schröder:** Absolutely, it’s my pleasure. Jim Dine is an artist who continually reflects on his own identity through his art. His approach is both radical and introspective; he asks fundamental questions about existence, self, and transformation. For him, every piece is essentially a self-portrait, exploring different facets of his life, memories, and experiences.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that hearts and tools are recurring motifs in Dine’s work. How do these elements tie into his autobiographical narrative?
**Klaus Albrecht Schröder:** Yes, hearts are a dominant theme, representing love and emotional connection, while tools reflect his childhood memories, particularly of his grandfather’s tool shop. Dine’s repeated use of these symbols highlights pivotal moments in his life and serves as a commentary on his development as an artist and individual. Each work is deeply personal and connects to the broader theme of growing up.
**Interviewer:** This exhibition marks a significant milestone, especially as Dine approaches his 90th birthday. What does this mean for the museum and for art lovers in general?
**Klaus Albrecht Schröder:** It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a living legend of contemporary art. As he nears this milestone, we hope to reflect not only on his immense contributions over the decades but also to engage with audiences who may be encountering his work for the first time. It’s a time to appreciate his legacy and the ongoing relevance of his explorations into selfhood and memory.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Klaus. It sounds like a compelling exhibition that will encourage deep reflection among attendees.
**Klaus Albrecht Schröder:** Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to the ALBERTINA to experience Jim Dine’s powerful artistry.
