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.
A flaming declaration of love for our democracy
All my life, I took our democracy for granted. Now I have to learn that this is not the case, that democracy can also be fragile, that we have to make a conscious decision in favour of it and actively stand up for it. We must not allow the right-wing fringe to lead opinion in our society. It is our duty to fight against it!
Let us remember what our western democracy guarantees us: Right to bodily integrity, equal treatment before the law, protection of our sexual identity, free elections, political opposition, separation of powers, constitutionality, protection of fundamental rights and civil liberties and respect for human rights, sanctity of human dignity, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of information, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of art, freedom of belief, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, the rule of law, independence of the courts and so on.
All of this is great and is exercised by us, the general public. And I’m not indifferent, it’s important to me that it stays that way. And I ask myself, what can I do personally, what can we all do together for our democracy, for our freedom?
Do not shy away from conflict and seek dialogue with people who think differently. Show a willingness to compromise. Spreading enthusiasm, passion and optimism. Acquiring political knowledge to form a political opinion. Engage in political discourse and develop a fighting spirit. Showing loyalty, courage, tolerance, solidarity and fairness. I love our democracy. Forever and ever: real democracy in Germany, Europe and the whole world!
Käthe Kruse in May 2024, first publication: International Fräulein, issue 2, 2018
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)
