Graphic Arts Foundation shows works by Rosa Loy and Neo Rauch

For the new production of Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin", the Bayreuth Festival secured the support of artist couple Rosa Loy and Neo Rauch in 2018. Costumes and stage sets for the production by Yuval Sharon will be on display at the Neo Rauch Graphic Arts Foundation in Aschersleben from this Saturday until April 27 in its annual exhibition "Bläue".

The works for Bayreuth, designed with plenty of blue, take up a statement by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900). "Blue, with an opiate, narcotic effect" is how the philosopher described the sometimes spherical soundscapes in "Lohengrin". Loy and Rauch created the later award-winning stage design and costumes with the help of conductor Christian Thielemann, who also conducted the work in 2018.

The artistic paths of Rosa Loy, who was born in Zwickau in 1958, and Neo Rauch, who is two years younger, are closely linked: Both have been working in Leipzig for more than 35 years and both studied there at the Academy of Visual Arts. They also frequently exhibit their work together.

The exhibition, with more than 33 objects, is reminiscent of the staging of "Lohengrin" in Bayreuth. According to the information provided, it was based on a collaboration with the festival, which contributed costumes, models of the stage sets and props from its collection. Current works on paper and loans from private collectors complement the show.

The Neo Rauch Graphic Foundation was founded in 2012. The artist grew up in Aschersleben. The collection includes one copy of each of Rauch's graphic works created since 1993 or yet to be created.