Jonathan Meese, born in Tokyo in 1970, is a German artist known for his enigmatic and dynamic works of visual and performance art. He defies traditional norms with his fusion of philosophical, political, and cultural themes, described as liturgical in his performances and dionysian in his installations. Meese gained recognition for his performance at the 1994 Berlin Biennale and has since exhibited at prestigious galleries such as the Saatchi Gallery and the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain.
His distinctive style was showcased in a major exhibition titled “Totalzelbstportret – Diktatur der Kunst” at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag from October 2010 to January 2012. The exhibition featured his paintings, videos, and a basement full of unique objects and constructions, all orchestrated to challenge traditional notions of art.
In 2013, Jonathan Meese was charged with making a Nazi salute at a previous event, but he successfully argued that it was part of a performance-art piece and was subsequently acquitted. With his devotion to cultivating perplexity and burstiness, Meese continues to push the boundaries of art and provoke meaningful discourse.
The 2011 Invitation for the Meese exhibition is now available at www.ftn-books.com
