Menschenwürde (Human dignity), 1984 Wolfgang Janisch

The life and work of East German artist and activist Wolfgang Janisch are documented in this exhibition with posters, photographs, and footage from the Hoover Institution Library and Archives.

More than 30 political posters by Janisch are included in the exhibit as well as several nonpolitical works, personal documents, a video interview with the artist, and video selections from the 1993 documentary film That Was the GDR. The materials illustrate daily life in East Germany through the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, as well as Janisch's experiences in his homeland from his childhood during World War Two through present-day reunified Germany.

One goal of Janisch’s work has been to encourage dialogue about the issues he addresses in his political posters, and to encourage members of his audience to think critically about the times and conditions in which they live. Two posters by Janisch are also included in the exhibition Revolutionary Tides: The Art of the Political Poster, 1914–1989 opening September 14 at the Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University. Wolfgang Janisch is scheduled to speak at Stanford the week of October 10, 2005. Exact dates and locations will be announced in September.