MONOCULTURE | A Recent History

In 1980–1981 there was a momentary release from the grip of the Communist party in Poland. During these days, Beuys undertook his Polentransport 1981 action, for which he donated approximately one thousand artworks to the permanent collection of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź. Together with his wife and daughter, Beuys travelled to Poland in a van, with a wooden crate containing the works on its roof. Whilst unpacking, Beuys discussed his the works, signed them and even finished some of them. He also put his signature on the crate itself and suggested to use it as a plinth. With this action, Beuys wanted to support the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement that played an essential role in the resistance to the communist regime, wanting to link this organisation to his idea of ‘social sculpture’.