From 24 June to 1 July 1971, Achim Freyer had his first solo exhibition in the GDR at the Central Institute for Nuclear Research in Rossendorf near Dresden. This exhibition was organised by Eberhard Gäbler with the help of many colleagues, and the almost 30 pictures and objects by Freyer on display dated from 1967 onwards. "The encounter with Achim Freyer and his pictures was a formative experience for me, and the difficult cultural-political situation also led to a strong feeling of solidarity between the participants. I am still glad that this exhibition materialised, that it didn't have to be closed prematurely and that it triggered a great deal of discussion." Gäbler is referring here to a lively discussion evening at the exhibition opening, to which Freyer had invited friends such as Ralf Winkler (A. R. Penck), Hannelore Kischkewitz, Reiner Bredemeyer and Adolf Dresen, but also to the numerous discussions that Freyer triggered with the exhibition. Many of the works of the artists exhibited in Rossendorf were purchased, so that Rossendorf had the second largest art collection of all scientific institutes in the GDR with around 240 works.

Achim Freyer initially studied painting before becoming a master student of Bertolt Brecht at the Berliner Ensemble and beginning to work as a stage and costume designer. Shortly after the exhibition in Rossendorf, he emigrated to West Berlin in 1972, where he soon developed his own work as a director. Achim Freyer, whose music theatre project "Ab und An - For Morton Feldman" was first presented at HELLERAU in 2004, has put together a selection of his works for "O-Ton-Wagner" 2026 in the Ecksalon Ost at the Festspielhaus Hellerau, including objects and pictures from the exhibition in Rossendorf in 1971, which can be viewed before the events.

Biography

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Photo: Angela Fensch

Achim Freyer initially studied painting before becoming a master student of Bertolt Brecht at the Berliner Ensemble and beginning to work as a stage and costume designer. he emigrated to West Berlin in 1972 and soon developed his own work as a director. His artistic career took him to the most renowned theatres and festivals around the world. He has received numerous important awards and has participated in documenta twice.

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