2005 Franz West initiated together with Clegg & Guttmann, Rudolf Polanszky and Benedikt Ledebur the Exhibition "Der Ficker" in Innsbruck, named after Ludwig von Ficker, who with his art-magazine "Der Brenner" linked fine arts, philosophy, poetry and architecture in the first half of the 20th century. This Exhibition was shown also in 2005 at the "De 11 Lijnen" in Oudenburg. A second exhibition took place 2006 in the Palais Wittgenstein in Vienna, the group of artists enlarged by Tamuna Sirbiladze and Muntean/Rosenblum, accompanied by the philosophical lectures and poetry-readings.
The different positions of the artists, the different areas of art and the relations between them form a living organism, which to analyze would mean to do the job of a butcher. Nevertheless the connections show themselves and start their interplay with the architectural surroundings in Oudenburg as they did in the Wittgenstein-house in Vienna. Thus the group - Clegg & Guttmann, Benedikt Ledebur, Rudolf Polanszky, Johannes Schlebrügge, Klaus Thoman, and Franz West - have extended their circle since the first "Ficker" a year ago, invited other artists and authors, brought about a new exhibition, further literarily, art historical and philosophic contributions, as well as a new publication: Der Ficker second series.
Clegg & Guttmann, Muntean & Rosenblum, Rudolf Polanszky, Tamuna Sirbiladze, Frans West