The Art of Der Spiegel exhibition will be on display at the Museum of Architecture and Design from March 30, presenting an overview of five decades of the magazine's cover illustrations. In 1954, the art editor took over the cover image of the leading German magazine Der Spiegel for almost thirty years...
An exhibition will be on display in the Museum of Architecture and Design from March 30 The art of Der Spiegel magazine, which presents an overview of five decades of magazine cover illustrations.
In 1954, concern for the image of the cover of the leading German magazine Der Spiegel took over for almost thirty years by art editor Eberhard Wachsmuth. He created the famous red frame that is today the publication's trademark, but that was not his only important contribution. Shortly after the publication of the work, he began to convince the publisher and editors that the portrait photograph, which until then had been the rule on the cover, should give way to illustration. Despite initial resistance, Wachsmuth succeeded in 1956 and his idea was adopted by all his successors.
For Stefan Kiefer, today's magazine cover art director Der Spiegel and exhibition curator, illustration is almost always the first choice when it comes to depicting complex ideas or abstract theories. They collaborate with the best illustrators from all over the world, who co-create the image of the magazine. Some of the illustrated covers have achieved international recognition, while others have become forever etched in the readers' memories as artistic masterpieces. The red frame and the superb artwork within it blend into a surprising whole week after week.
Exhibition The art of Der Spiegel magazine wishes to pay tribute to the artists who created Spiegel's covers and present a selection of 133 illustrations from 1956 onwards. But this time they are not surrounded by a red frame. As works of art, they finally got their deserved place on the gallery wall.
About Der Spiegel magazine
Der Spiegel is considered to be the most important news weekly in Germany, with a reach that far exceeds the boundaries of this country. The first issue was published on January 4, 1947, and the magic limit of one million circulation was reached and exceeded in 1990. Today, the magazine is also one of the largest publications of its kind on a European scale and enjoys a great reputation around the world. It has earned its status as a moral authority through in-depth reporting and investigative journalism. It deals with a wide variety of topics, from current political and economic events to science, medicine, technology, culture, sports, media and wider social issues.
Magazine covers visualize the main theme of each issue. Their creators are aware of the extraordinary power of the cover to arouse the interest of a random passer-by and bring the cover story to life with a visual image. Many of Spiegel's covers from 1956 onwards attracted a lot of attention with their effectiveness and boldness, imprinted themselves in the memory of readers and acquired a cult status.
The producer of the exhibition and lecture is the Institute for Creative Production Emzin.
