The International Artists Forum IKG was initiated by well-known artists like Joseph Beuys, Jochen Gerz, Gotthard Graubner, Klaus Staeck and others, and founded 1976 in Cologne. It was and is an association of artists, curators, critics working on the field of the visual arts. As a parallel to the Pen-Club the IKG is engaged for freedom of the art, of information and press, for the right of cultural self-determination, for tolerance and cultural diversity.
The IKG has more than 250 members from Argentinien, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belarusm, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United States of America.
On the war in Israel
The IKG condemns the brutal massacre committed by Hamas against Israelites* on 7 October 2023. Our deepest sympathy goes to the victims and hostages, their relatives and friends* as well as to all people in the region who are now affected by war and violence. Terror is always a crime against humanity and in war humanitarian rules must always be respected and diplomatic channels kept open.
It is our hope that we the people can use our strength together to overcome war, hatred, fascism, fanaticism and anti-Semitism and put humanity, equality, freedom, peace and, according to Salman Rushdie, love in their place.
The International Artists’ Panel mourns the loss of its member Rolf Langebartels (16 May 1941 – 16 January 2024)
Rolf Langebartels initially studied mechanical engineering and gained a doctorate in cybernetics before turning to art in 1977. His experimental works include photography, kinetic sculptures, sound sculptures and installations. Rolf Langebartels founded the non-profit gallery Giannozzo in 1978 and later the art association of the same name. In the 1980s and 1990s, this was a key venue for sound art in Berlin. Rolf Langebartels curated and facilitated numerous projects here and published books, artist books, audio cassettes and records in the Edition Giannozzo series. He has also published his own theoretical texts on sound art and has taken part in many international sound art and performance festivals.
The International Artists’ Panel mourns the loss of its member Manfred Schmalriede (18 February 1937 – 24 October 2023)
Manfred Schmalriede worked on many levels with a searching agility of vision and thought. He was an artist and theorist; the production and reception of images occupied him in equal measure. Early on, he focussed on photography and explored the medium in a wide range of ways. He was not only interested in artistic photography, but also in the use of photography in everyday life. Manfred Schmalriede was an author, exhibition curator and, above all, a teacher. As a university lecturer in design theory, semiotics and aesthetics in Pforzheim from 1971 to 2002, he influenced generations of students. Here he was known for constantly redeveloping his thinking in speech and thus creating temporary, constantly changing networks of thought.
We mourn the loss of our long-standing member Phill Niblock
born Oct. 2nd 1933 in Anderson Indiana, USA – died Jan. 8th 2024 in New York City, NY, USA
composer, photographer, filmmaker & director of the Experimental Intermedia Foundation, NYC, USA
New members
We welcome our in october 2023 newly elected members and look forward to an interesting exchange and cooperation.
Claudia Beelitz (art historian, curator)
