Wilfried Dickhoff Knihy

Jirí Dokoupil, born in 1954 in Krnov, Czechoslovakia, fled to Germany after the 1968 Soviet invasion. He became a founding member of the German artist groups Mülheimer Freiheit and Junge Wilde in the late 1970s and early 1980s, aiming to create contemporary art through a neo-expressive, colorful style that challenged the minimalism of the time. Dokoupil developed a unique working method, focusing on individual expression. As Luca Marenzi notes, Dokoupil distinguishes between "know-how" and "style." Know-how involves mastering techniques, akin to scientific knowledge, while style is about achieving a desired artistic outcome, independent of the process. For instance, Pointillism exemplifies know-how, while Mondrian’s work represents style. Dokoupil blends traditional painting with conceptual art, creating a diverse body of work that reflects multiple artistic voices. Throughout his career, he has embraced intellectual freedom. The book features over 200 works categorized into three sections: "Behold, I have become a painter!" (1980–1989), "A new beginning, but how?" (1989–2000), and "Suddenly becoming academic" (2000–2017). It includes texts by Reiner Opoku, Luca Marenzi, memoirs from his mother Magda Dokoupilova, and an essay by Julian Schnabel.

Since 1997, sculptures by international artists can be viewed on a regular basis in the expansive sculpture park along the banks of the Rhine river. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Skulpturenpark, this book also presents works by James Lee Byars, George Condo, Markus Lupertz, Tatzu Nishi, Kirsten Ortwed, Manfred Pernice, and Tal R.