Rebecca Horn, the trailblazing artist celebrated for her transformative and alchemical sculptures, has died at the age of 80. The news was confirmed by her New York gallery, Sean Kelly, although the cause of death was not disclosed.
Horn’s work, characterized by its enigmatic and ritualistic quality, is highly regarded in Germany and beyond. Her art, featured in prominent exhibitions such as Documenta and the Venice Biennale, has left a lasting mark on the international art scene. Horn’s influence extends to contemporary artists like Matthew Barney and Pipilotti Rist.
Rebecca innovative performance art of the 1960s redefined perceptions of the female body, with her later mechanized sculptures incorporating metal, mirrors, and liquid to explore the boundary between human and non-human forms. Horn’s art, often described as ritualistic, was intended to evoke visceral experiences rather than straightforward meanings.
In a 2006 interview with Frieze, Horn explained her artistic vision: “Alchemy is a visualizing process, but in the end, it serves to take your consciousness to a higher plane.”
Among her notable works is the “Personal Art” series (1968–72), which featured performers wearing bizarre “body extensions” like horns and feathers. In her 1972 performance “Pencil Mask,” Horn wore a fabric mask lined with pencils, creating marks on a wall as she moved. This work exemplifies her blend of eroticism and conceptual art.
Horn’s career also included performances where she engaged in unconventional acts, such as eating flowers and creating pianos that spat out their keys. Her art frequently addressed dark themes from postwar Germany, with pieces like “Die Chinesische Verlobte” (The Chinese Fiancée) immersing viewers in a sensory and emotional experience.
Rebecca was born in 1944 in Michelstadt, Germany, Horn was deeply influenced by the works of Johann Valentin Andreae and Raymond Roussel.
Her early fascination with these figures shaped her unique approach to art. Horn studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg, although her education was interrupted by a lung condition.
Horn’s work gained international acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s, with major exhibitions in the US, including a 1993 showcase at the Guggenheim Museum. Her innovative pieces, such as the Paradiso (1993) installation, demonstrated her exceptional ability to blend performance and sculpture.
Throughout her career, Horn received numerous accolades, including top awards at Documenta and the Carnegie International. Her work continued to captivate audiences, with recent exhibitions like the Haus der Kunst retrospective.
Rebecca Horn’s art, characterized by its complexity and emotional depth, remains a powerful testament to her creative genius. “Confusion,” she once said, “I like that.”