The two discussions published in this book brought together Joseph Beuys, Jannis Kounellis, Anselm Kiefer, and Enzo Cucchi at the invitation of Jean-Christophe Ammann, prior to the exhibition of the four artists' work in the spring of 1986 at the Kunsthalle Basel.
Two meetings took place, each lasting two days: the first in June and the second in October 1985, in the Kunsthalle library. In a small circle, comprised of a few accompanying persons who barely, if at all, participated in the discussion, the conversation unfolded almost entirely behind closed doors, among the artists; it is now open to public debate.
The four artists had known each other for a long time, initially, of course, through their works. But the language barrier had until then prevented verbal understanding between the Germans and the Mediterranean artists. During the Basel meetings, simultaneous translation from German to Italian, and vice versa, by Jacqueline Burckhardt, helped to build bridges between the artists. The confrontation of the positions developed by each on the problems of creation in contemporary Europe constitutes a survey and perspective probably unparalleled in the history of contemporary art.