* Excerpt from the last page of “Caliban über Setebos”
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Another series of graphic sheets is dynamic yet disciplined, and devoid
of any exuberant gestures. Here, black lines penetrate the sheet and
thicken to form abstract configurations. To create them, lead weights
prepared with Japanese and Chinese sepia ink were swung back and forth
over the sheet.
Jörg Czischke’s paintings, graphics and sculptures are equally important in his portfolio of work. At the same time, his artistic interpretations of literary works are unique. Almost obsessed, he searched for and found images as equivalents to written language in literature. This was especially the case with "Caliban über Setebos". Started in 1972 and completed in the 1980s, the work consists of 111 sheets stored in a cassette. Each sheet measures 53.5 x 39.5 cm. The individual sheets are lavishly designed and executed in a mixture of various techniques, including colour illustrations and collages. Once again, typography plays an important role as an artistic means of design.
The source of inspiration for Jörg Czischke’s work was the story “Caliban über Setebos” by Arno Schmidt, which he wrote in 1964 as the contrafact to the Greek myth of Orpheus. Essential to Schmidt's text are the extensive codes and transformations that give the reader few indications that the story is an allusion to the Orpheus myth. The frequent mention of James Joyce may bring to mind his “Ulysses” and, in turn, the ancient myth. The myth-related names in Schmidt's story also provide hints. For example, the names Orpheus and Eurydice are reflected in the names of the main characters Orje and Rieke. The parallels between their actions as well as those of the other characters and the ancient myth are revealed gradually. The mythological references in the story prove to be extremely complex, and decoding them is a challenge.
It is typical of Jörg Czischke to have made this challenge his own. He was thoroughly captivated by this fascinating work. In his “Caliban über Setebos”, he considered himself to be the paraphrast, interpreter and explainer. In this way, he saw his work as a paraphrase. At the same time, Czischke goes beyond what is meant in the text. One indicator is a sheet from "Caliban über Setebos" in which the portraits of Joyce, Schmidt and Czischke all blend together. In this instance, Czischke meets the two literary giants as equals. Fittingly, the very diverse elements of "Caliban über Setebos" by Jörg Czischke combine to create a singular, independent work of art of practically monumental dimensions.
Jörg Czischke’s paintings, graphics and sculptures are equally important in his portfolio of work. At the same time, his artistic interpretations of literary works are unique. Almost obsessed, he searched for and found images as equivalents to written language in literature. This was especially the case with "Caliban über Setebos". Started in 1972 and completed in the 1980s, the work consists of 111 sheets stored in a cassette. Each sheet measures 53.5 x 39.5 cm. The individual sheets are lavishly designed and executed in a mixture of various techniques, including colour illustrations and collages. Once again, typography plays an important role as an artistic means of design.
The source of inspiration for Jörg Czischke’s work was the story “Caliban über Setebos” by Arno Schmidt, which he wrote in 1964 as the contrafact to the Greek myth of Orpheus. Essential to Schmidt's text are the extensive codes and transformations that give the reader few indications that the story is an allusion to the Orpheus myth. The frequent mention of James Joyce may bring to mind his “Ulysses” and, in turn, the ancient myth. The myth-related names in Schmidt's story also provide hints. For example, the names Orpheus and Eurydice are reflected in the names of the main characters Orje and Rieke. The parallels between their actions as well as those of the other characters and the ancient myth are revealed gradually. The mythological references in the story prove to be extremely complex, and decoding them is a challenge.
It is typical of Jörg Czischke to have made this challenge his own. He was thoroughly captivated by this fascinating work. In his “Caliban über Setebos”, he considered himself to be the paraphrast, interpreter and explainer. In this way, he saw his work as a paraphrase. At the same time, Czischke goes beyond what is meant in the text. One indicator is a sheet from "Caliban über Setebos" in which the portraits of Joyce, Schmidt and Czischke all blend together. In this instance, Czischke meets the two literary giants as equals. Fittingly, the very diverse elements of "Caliban über Setebos" by Jörg Czischke combine to create a singular, independent work of art of practically monumental dimensions.