Course: The Artist and Freedom: Ernst Barlach, Franz Fühmann and the Confrontation with Totalitarianism

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Course title The Artist and Freedom: Ernst Barlach, Franz Fühmann and the Confrontation with Totalitarianism
Course code KGER/BAF
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech, German
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Cornejo Renata, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Kopřiva Roman, PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
An introduction to the work of the German author Franz Fühmann (1922-1985), originally from Bohemia, who is now known to the wider public in the Czech environment only through his translations of fiction, while professional circles (i.e. Bohemians, Germanists and translators) are also examining his congenial translations of Czech lyrics (Halas) and appreciating his meritorious (co-)work on anthologies of Czech lyrics with Ludvík Kundera, which were published in the GDR. 11. 10. Introduction - a visit to a musical and literary band on the work of F. Fühmann in Ústí nad Labem (0/2). The band presents a cross-section of some moments of Fühmann?s work. 7. 12. 3 p.m. Entrance lecture The Artist and Freedom (0/1) 7. 12. 6 p.m. Screening of Der verlorene Engel (0/2) Original vault version 8. 12. Seminar (0/2) - work with the text Barlach in Güstrow taking into account the previous film screening, analysis and interpretation of the original or taking into account the Czech translation. Attention will be paid in particular to Fühmann?s style and the transposition of the verbal text into film form (internal monologue and visual metaphors), as well as genre definiton.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
After an introductory literary-musical band to Fühmann?s work in general, the course aims to approach his poetics from a perspective neglected in his old homeland: through the author?s creative reception of the work of another artist - Ernst Barlach. The prose "Barlach in Güstrow" (1970, translated into English as "The Floating Angel", 1982) presents in the form of a historical travesty the hidden polemic of the living artist Fühmann and his quest for creative freedom against the worldview and aeshetic doctrines as well as cultural policies of the two totalitarian regimes. Last but not least, the course aims to outline Fühmann?s Barlach projects, which represented a renaissance in the reception of the work of the visual and verbal artist Ernst Barlach (1870-1938), especially in East Germany or the Eastern Bloc. The fate of the artist Barlach, who was persecuted by the regime, became a defence of human rights and a critique of totalitarianism par excellece - with a timeless resonance.
Students will learn about the basic themes of Franz Fühmann?s work in the context of his work under the totalitarian system and his reception by the expressionist artist Ernst Barlach. In addition, they will broaden their view of the issues in the intermedia context (literature, visual arts, film).
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Participation in all parts of the block course, reading and knowledge of the texts for the seminar on 8. 12., written work of about 5 pages.
Recommended literature
  • Barlach, Ernst. Das schlimme Jahr. Grafik ? Zeichnungen ? Plastik ? Dokumente. Rostock, 1963.
  • Fühmann, Franz. Barlach in Güstrow. Leipzig, 1988.
  • Fühmann, Franz. Vznášející se anděl. Epizoda ze života velkého německého sochaře Ernsta Barlacha. Praha, 1982.
  • Probst, Volker. Ernst Barlach. Das Güstrower Ehrenmal. Güstrow, 1998.
  • Reif, Ina-Lyn. Die Entstehung und Rezeption des DEFA-Spielfilms ?Der Verlorene Engel?. Hamburg, 2008.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester