Endangered works by Worpswede painter Geerken: Help from the gallery owner
by Markus Lippeck
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The estate of the Worpswede landscape painter Fritz Geerken was partially damaged by the flood. Now the gallery owner Markus Lippeck is offering his premises for sale.
Ms. Geerken, the situation of the pictures has not improved much since the flood, has it?
Claudia Geerken: They are all still lying around the living room, as we still have to dry some of them. We are starting to sort them a bit, and little by little everything is coming to light. But we were able to save a lot. Often they were just reprints, which we actually had to throw in the trash.
They are special pictures that you are of course attached to - even if they are only reprints, right?
Geerken: Definitely. It also brings back memories when you see all the images again, but they end up in the trash. It was a sad sight.
You tried drying the pictures - did it work?
Geerken: Yes. We were able to dry the ones that got wet. They are a bit wavy, but you can probably straighten them out again. But not much has actually happened; we were able to rescue most of the pictures from the basement and bring them upstairs.
The gallery owner Markus Lippeck from Worpswede also heard the interview. Mr. Lippeck, you offered help. What could that look like?
Markus Lippeck: We have had a gallery in Worpswede since the middle of last year, but it is now on a long winter break and is being converted to a different concept: we want to continue to run it in the form of a non-profit art association. As a result, the rooms - which are around 100 square meters - are currently empty. They are fully equipped, in very good condition, even with gallery rails. I heard this interview by chance because I also had problems with water in the basement in another part of the building, and I spontaneously got in touch with the idea that something could possibly be done about it.
Ms. Geerken, would that be a nice offer?
Geerken: Yes, that sounds great, especially because there are a lot of Worpswede paintings, that's a great coincidence. But yes, we would definitely need a temporary storage space.
Lippeck: The special situation is that these spaces are actually available right now. The other spontaneous idea is that you could possibly even organize some kind of exhibition, with a reference to what happened, and that you might get some feedback that way.
Geerken: That would be great.
Then we would like to put you in touch and perhaps a nice exhibition will come about. And after that has been arranged a little bit via NDR Kultur, could we then continue to support you and perhaps do something else for the exhibition or draw attention to it?
Lippeck: Yes, definitely. We have been active in Worpswede for some time and want to continue doing so with our small club and also have a public impact.
The interview was conducted Philipp Schmid .
Source:
NDR Kultur
