Anke Loewensprung
Anke Loewensprung
Her work concentrates on the transformative qualities of imagination. It builds on her innovative methods to re-enliven sense perception through exact observation and thinking in images. Her practice integrates installation, objects, drawing, writing, photography, action and performance, dialogue and teaching and is known as 'Sense directed thinking space'.
In the 1970s the threat of the Cold War and the East-West divide led her to explore methods of focussed consciousness and of social transformation in the work of western and eastern thinkers, artists and activists. She continued to study visual art in South Africa and exhibited in the National Gallery (Sculptures for Seeing Hands, 1977) in Cape Town. At this time Shelley Sacks invited her to participate in setting up FIU, South Africa, following Joseph Beuys' model. They jointly translated 'Aktion Dritter Weg/Action Third Road' into English.
After her return to Europe, Anke Loewensprung taught in the international ‘Centre for Social Development' in Sussex, England. Her interdisciplinary practice worked with processes of transformative vision and creative social action, with strong links to both psychotherapy and to the environmental and peace movements.
For several years she was visiting artist at Bernard Lievegoed Institut in Hamburg and tutor at Oxford Brookes University. Together with Shelley Sacks she introduced innovative pedagogic practices in the new 'Phenomenological Studies' and 'Art and Transformation' modules and also participated in SSRU activities in their initial phase. She founded ‘Art Greenhouse', studio and teaching venues in rural Sussex in 1997 and in Oxford in 2005. Adults from all walks of life, as well professional artists, study there to activate their individual, creative potential and to become motivated to contribute to a growing network of positive change.
In 2000 Anke started a Central European project in the nine Baltic States. This multi-layered work includes building interior spaces, which invite both contemplation and dialogue on the link between ethics and aesthetics, and in connection with these, on universal human rights and earth resources issues. Her installation 'Snowdrift 1947' / 'Schneewehe 1947', first of the series of nine spaces, was set up in the 'Frauenmuseum' in Bonn in 2007. It has strong performance and narrative elements.
Recently new questions and understandings are taking Anke Loewensprung to Japan, where she is writing a book about substance transformation and the creative energy of 'the void'. It will be published in Germany in autumn 2009.
anke@onetell.com www.artgreenhouse.co.uk
© 2008 Social Sculpture Research Unit
