Joseph Beuys: trauma and catharsis.
Medical Humanities December 1, 2010 C Ottomann, P L Stollwerck, H Maier et al.
Joseph Beuys, a major 20th-century artist, experienced a life-changing trauma in March 1943 when his dive bomber crashed in Crimea. This event, known as the 'Tartar Legend' or 'Tartar Myth', profoundly shaped his artistic career. Beuys perceived his rescue as a "rebirth" and developed a new consciousness that ignored boundaries, creating visions for the healing of all mankind. The abstract contends that Beuys did not bring society to a visible turning point toward "the healing of the world," but his work remains important as a record of strength arising from trauma and a passionate commitment to life.