The End of Fear

From the moment the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam acquired this large and primarily monochrome red painting in 1969 until today, Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue III is an artwork that raises questions, triggers emotions and provokes emotional reactions. A brutal attack on the piece on the first day of spring in 1986 was followed by what later proved to be a rather unconventional restoration procedure. This icon of Abstract Expressionism, once permanently on display in the main room of the renowned Stedelijk Museum of Amsterdam, still has great value – if only for it’s complex history – but for other reasons than those of the painter himself. This work, sometimes called “our beloved invalid” has taught us many things about the work of art, and they are things far beyond painting itself. The End of Fear takes multiple perspectives on important and fascinating questions that were raised during the painting’s lifetime and raises the question of whether they are still present in our current relationship to contemporary art. What is the possible value of art: what makes something a work of art; who decides this; what does it mean; what is the value of art in economic, artistic, and social terms?… >>>