“There should be a color in the picture, some said, black and white is good, others said.” This is how Lisa Schwarz, the youngest member and third director of the Haar Artists’ Circle, remembers it. She had brought her charcoal drawing of the Haar high-rise to a monthly meeting to hear what her more experienced painter colleagues thought about it. With her drawings, paintings, digital art and photography, the 23-year-old communication designer represents the circle of artists very well. Because the members are interested in diversity in techniques and materials. For example, formats, pastoses or fine strokes are passionately discussed, or new powder-like pigments that stick to the painting surface as if by magic without a binder. It is always about artistic quality and expression. The Haar Artists’ Circle (KKH) has established itself as a recognized institution in the 20,000-inhabitant community.
With her charcoal drawing of the high-rise building in Haar, Lisa Schwarz triggered discussions about the value of color.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
If you want to become a member of the Haar Artists’ Circle, you have to have some technical skills. An art degree is not required, but you have to “remark that an awful lot happens here when you think about art, there is room for development,” says chairwoman Anja Ruttkowski, 48. “You have to deal with the material you use to make art,” adds Babette Mairoth-Voigtmann, who is responsible for public relations. The KKH not only wants to show the work of its members in exhibitions, but also to exchange experiences and thoughts in the fields of painting, graphics, glass art, plastic and ceramics and to support and stimulate one another. That was already the case in 1980, when a group of visual artists with a singer and a dialect poet from Haar, Munich and the surrounding area founded the KKH.
Babette Mairoth-Voigtmann, Karl Hertje and Anja Rottkopf at the 2022 annual exhibition.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
The circle of artists is characterized by how different the members are in their characteristics, working methods and views. The annual exhibitions in the town hall show this most directly. For them, all members implement a previously discussed topic. Last year it was “Hair”. Representational illustrations, such as the Haarer See or the high-rise building on the B 304 in acrylic or charcoal, could be seen as well as abstract ones, as well as calligraphy or the hidden-object-like collage with a mayor’s head called “Haartopia” by Susanne Maile. They hung next to works in mixed media such as acrylic and gouache, combined with batt gold or impact metal, by Erika Lohr. Three small papier-mâché figures by Bernhard Süssbauer also provided food for thought. Photographs by Martin R. Mayer, who describes himself as “a designer of abstract, multi-layered or futuristic photographic art”, will be added this year. He recently became a member.
Artistic exchange is important to members between the ages of 23 and 89. For example, Mairoth-Voigtmann brought a female nude with her to the interview appointment, the posture of which is somewhat reminiscent of ancient Egyptian statues. Hardly unpacked, Ruttkowski and Karl Hertje, 68, the deputy chairman, take a look at the work. “Your feet aren’t right,” says Ruttkowski bluntly, and Hertje nods. He tilts the picture, looks closely at the frame, but says nothing. It’s the position of the feet, says Mairoth-Voigtmann, one foot is too short. When Ruttkowski says that the head of the nude is “possibly too big”, the painter initially resists, but then admits that she will measure again. The proportions have to be right, that’s not a question here. The conversation then quickly turns to how challenging nude painting is, even for experienced long-standing members like Hertje, who has been with us since 1983.
Geometry and colors: Babette Mairoth-Voigtmann shows an unusual perspective with her picture “Swimming Pool”.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
Each artist still works for himself and in his own rooms, but they want to open a studio building in the old post office. The premises there are ideal and also offer space for sculptors, emphasizes Ruttkowski, “but nothing will happen for the next twelve months”. The Hungarian Aid still needs the rooms. Now they are concentrating on the joint project of an animated film that picks up on the experiences of the “Hand-in-Hand” support association. The film will be shown for the first time at the start of the 950th anniversary celebrations on May 11th on the Haarer Anger and again on May 13th and 21st. In addition, the KKH ensures that during a flash mob in the Haarer Stadium, more than 1000 people stand in such a way that it is easy to see how a small hand is being surrounded by a larger one. The picture is intended to show the motto of the Hand-in-Hand association: “Be there for each other”. It is also evident here: At the KKH, well-tried curiosity seeks young impulses and lively exchange in the spirit of living art. One can be curious.