The “Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature” exhibit that opened Nov. 16 delves into the life of German artist and activist Joseph Beuys and displays over 400 pieces of his works. Every piece displayed, from famous works to newspaper articles and bottled river water, encapsulates Beuys’ environmental and political endeavors along with his desire to improve the world through art. 

Viewers of the exhibit will first notice three multiples of his famous creation, “Felt Suit.” The remainder of the exhibit, except for one piece, features more “multiples” of Beuys’ works. These multiples are simply a reproduction of art pieces or objects. Beuys created multiples to produce accessible art for a wide range of people, indicative of his democratic nature. 

“In Defense of Nature” first provides context and memorabilia of Beuys’ early life. Beuys served in the German Air Force during World War II. In 1943, he suffered from a plane crash in Crimea, and his body was restored by wrapping him in fat and felt, recurring substances and motifs in his works. Afterward, Beuys went on to study art and later taught at a University in Düsseldorf.

The exhibit portrays Beuys’s life and history through his works and multiples such as photographs, pamphlets, videos, sculptures and other mediums. Many of Beuys’ works are made with organic materials. 

The exhibit’s co-curator, Sarah Loyer, wanted viewers to truly understand Beuys’ artistic genius and the events that influenced him. Loyer worked alongside Andrea Gyorody to bring Beuys’ vision to life.

“We really wanted the work to feel alive and for people to be able to get a sense of what it was like when he was making these works when he was doing these performances, and the global activities as well as the local activities that were happening around him that were helping to shape his practice,” Loyer said. 

As the exhibit progresses, it shows Beuys’ anti-fascist political and environmental endeavors in Germany. 

“Seeing the story of someone who was swept up in fascism that was happening all around him in his country, and then someone who really dedicated the rest of his life to democracy, expanding access to education and environmental activism is a compelling narrative, especially these days,” Loyer said. 

The second half of the exhibit displays Beuys’ commitment to the German Green Party with objects like shovels, banners and more. The multiples range from rare items to objects that are still in production. 

“He was creating multiples that are objects that he was making to fundraise for specific projects or to call attention to specific causes,” Loyer said. “That was frequently the way that they were; they were being used almost like political ephemera that he would then sign and kind of make into an artwork so that they’re both historicized and cared for by museum collections like this, and so we can look at them today.”

Towards the end of the exhibition, there is a large wallpaper image of Beuys’ “7000 Eichen” project, which translates to “7000 oaks.” In 1982, Beuys started the project for “documenta 7,” a contemporary art exhibition in Germany. Beuys planted 7,000 trees both outside the museum and throughout public spaces as a form of art. 

Each tree was accompanied by a basalt column, which was removed after the tree was planted, representing the rubble and ruin World War II brought. 

“What Beuys was doing was saying in order to move this pile of stones, you need to work through the trauma of the past in order to better the city toward the future,” Loyer said. 

The Broad museum was inspired by Beuys’s initiatives to improve society and heal from past traumas through environmentalist art and activism. The museum partnered with North East Trees and Tongva archaeologist Desireé Reneé Martinez and artist Lazaro Arvizu Jr. to create the “Social Forest: Oaks of Tovaangar” initiative. The project aims to plant mainly oak trees in Elysian Park and Kuruvungna Village Springs in Los Angeles. 

“We took inspiration from that project for our project … We wanted to focus on those two key themes of Beuys’ original project being environmental repair and social and political reconciliation,” Loyer said. “We had an advisory committee that worked with us early on, shaping the project and thinking about those themes and what they mean in Los Angeles today compared to a small city in Germany 40-plus years ago.”

Beuys’ art was not captured through typical mediums like painting or drawing. Rather, Beuys took inspiration from the world around him and transformed seemingly simple, organic mediums into significant art pieces and statements. 

Beuys’ works and his later political endeavors have remained important to contemporary art and activism in the 21st century. It has inspired individuals to take action and change the world through art to this day.

“I think his vision for 7000 Oaks was to inspire. I mean, he said it was his vision to inspire other planting projects around the world,” said Loyer. “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to take inspiration from his work and create something new. I also think it’s a way that we’re participating in social sculpture and in his idea that everyone is an artist.”

“Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature” will run at The Broad until March 23.