“The Language of the Birds” by Anselm Kiefer
12th art project on the Salzburg Walk of Modern Art: Anselm Kiefer, “The Language of the Birds” (2018/19) Chiemseehof
Of wings, art and books
“The Language of the Birds” is a 4.2 m tall and 1.8 m wide artwork out of bronze, that stands on a heavy 7 t pedestal. Majestic eagle’s wings rise from a monumental stack of books – almost as if they were guarding a treasure. Anselm Kiefer says that these wings are a sign that the knowledge hidden in books cannot be constrained merely to those pages.
The mythical power of art
This German artist, who today lives and works in France, often focuses on myths, creating “The Language of the Birds” as his personal interpretation of the writings of the French esoteric Fulcanelli.
