Arno Breker - Comrades

[Christophe]

Hallo comrades,

 

I think it is interesting to look at past historic times with the knowledge of what we know today. Oftentimes we discover valuable things and insights that will possibly prove beneficial for our current endeavor.

 

The best way to learn from the insights of an era ist to look at the arts that was created in that time, the literature, theatre, poems and so on.

 

So Today I feel inspired to present this lesser known piece of art created by the controversial german sculptor, Arno Breker in 1941. It is called "Comrades". Let's take a look.

 

we see two male well-trained figures, one of them seemingly wounded or even dead, and the other one holding him upright, with a rescue grip, trying to save whatever's left to save. Those men are comrades, the scupture tells us.

 

this detail shows the anguish, the despair, the anger shining through the rescuer's face:

 

He screams:  "Help! To the Rescue! A Comrade has been wounded!" or maybe       "Why him? This is not fair! What kind of God can let such a thing happen?"

 

It becomes clear that this is a strong male bond involved here. The survivor has witnessed the fall of his friend and builds a strong commitment: "Your collapse shall not be in vein. I will take revenge on our enemies. I swear to make your name and your story become known among men. I will not rest until I fulfill this oath."

 

I suggest that the emotions this sculpture evokes is indeed an integral part in the unfolding of the human potential, for men and women alike. But for women it seems to be somehow different, I'm not sure if the same sculpture would work if the figures were female. For some reason the effect is strongest when it's between males.

 

Personally I like this scuplture a lot. I think of a friend of mine who became lost and died (may you find peace finally). Also I know that for my grandfathers, the depicted scene was meaningful also, in their respective ways. And last but not least it proved important for my very own spiritual development to grapple with the named topic of loss, mourning, powerlessness, and desperate determination.

 

Thank you for paying attention.

 

[Balder]

An interesting post, Christophe.  Thank you.

 

Personally I like this scuplture a lot. I think of a friend of mine who became lost and died (may you find peace finally). Also I know that for my grandfathers, the depicted scene was meaningful also, in their respective ways. And last but not least it proved important for my very own spiritual development to grapple with the named topic of loss, mourning, powerlessness, and desperate determination.

 

I am not familiar with the sculpture, and do not know its history, but I relate to what you've written here.  My own spiritual development was set in motion by just such a confrontation with loss and mourning -- on two occasions, actually, both of which involved the death of a good friend.  The first friend was lost to suicide, the second to a heart attack early (much too early) in life.  In both cases, in different ways, I was plunged into despair, rage, desperation: how to make sense of these losses, how to make sense of my life -- or to make my life meaningful -- in the face of these senseless early foreclosures on the promise and potential life-gifts of these two men that I respected and loved.  The biggest lesson, taking root the first time and reinforced the second:  stop making excuses for life half-lived, stop indulging in self-absorbed depression and selfish demands, and begin to engage those things most meaningful, most constructive, for self and others. 

 

I appreciate the opportunity you've given me to reflect on those early vows.  Thank you.

[James Barrow]

I am deeply affected by this sculpture, and by both Christophe and Bruce's comments....I am just sitting here feeling stuff come up which I can't effectively put down in words... so I'm just going to sit with it all a bit longer.... thanks christophe.

James

 

It makes me think of The Thin Red Line

[Christophe]

I appreciate your repectful comments Balder, and James.

 

yes somehow this man, Breker, managed to capture a truth and carve it into stone. His skill as a sculptor is clear to see for everyone who has eyes.

Still he did his work in unsafe times of war, when it had to be understood politically. Hitler made no secret of his admiration of Breker's. Many of his works directly or inderectly supported the wordlview of the Nazis. Breker was seen as an antidote to the 'degenerate' jewish art of the times.

 

I suggest that while the role of the artist in political contexts must be considered carefully, still Breker's work, especially the 'Comrades', embody a degree of skill and beauty that should not be dismissed for ideological reasons alone. IMO we should pay attention if an artist's work passes the test of time and has still something to say for future generations.

 

In case of the sculpture of the 'comrades', I think it should be extracted from the national, ethnocentrist context it was created. Instead, I suggest to see it as a symbol of camraderie (or even: solidarity) of humans worldwide, where a brother cares for his brother, a neighbor for his neighbor and comrade for a comrade.

 

Amen.