German Artists Remind D.C. What Free Expression Is Worth

New nonprofit, Breakthrough Art, has gathered 10 artists from former East Germany in a national art tour showcasing their struggle against oppression

Hauswald-Alexanderplatz, May 1 Demonstration, Berlin, 1987

By Amara Tiebout

Breakthrough Art Organization, a Great Falls-based nonprofit celebrating dissident artists whose art brings a new perspective to international, political and social events, is making the next stop on their inaugural national art tour—Washington, D.C.

This newly founded nonprofit’s first program is called “Breakthrough! Twenty Years After German Unification: Critical Perspectives of Berlin Artists.” The program features a national tour, in which the art of 10 acclaimed artists from the former East Germany will be exhibited in five cities across the country. The art will focus on their experiences living alongside the Berlin Wall and the constant struggle of daily life in a divided Germany.

Breakthrough’s exhibit will be on display in Pepco’s Edison Place Gallery from Sept. 19 until Oct. 8, which corresponds with the 20th anniversary of Germany’s reunification on Oct. 3.

Breakthrough Art was founded by Jeff Thinnes, an expert in German-American relations and founder of JTI, Inc., a firm specializing in promoting international businesses. George Mason University art professor and noted artist and freelance curator, Helen Frederick, serves as curator and helps design the layout of the exhibits.

Herrmann, Transit, 1989

“Helen and I came to work together through luck, serendipity. Another sign that the project was meant to be,” Thinnes says, adding, “People have come out of nowhere to become integral to us.”

Thinnes created Breakthrough Art in 2009 for two main reasons: to introduce the enriching, enlightening perspectives of artists from former East Germany that have touched him personally, and to increase appreciation for basic freedoms in America.

“These down-to-earth, unfiltered viewpoints that only artists can give you, have enriched me personally,” Thinnes says, also noting, “and another thing which is a critical factor, is my concern that many basic freedoms are taken for granted in the U.S.”

Thinnes’ mission resonated with Frederick; she knew she wanted to work for him.

“We have so many common interests,” Frederick says. “We both are firm believers that art can affect change. It’s a good partnership.”

In addition to the exhibit itself, the Breakthrough tour hosts educational programs targeting youth and roundtable discussions encouraging dialogue between the German artists and various government, business and community leaders. For the D.C. stop, some of these programs will occur at the Edison Place Gallery as well as the Newseum, which has partnered with Breakthrough Art for educational outreach purposes.

Thinnes chose 10 respectable artists who braved the very real threats of criminalization, imprisonment and exile to release their controversial art under a communist regime. The group consists of seven painters, two photographers and one sculptor, all of whom fought long and hard for their right to free expression.

Breakthrough has visited Nashville and Aspen, and is heading to San Antonio and Chicago after D.C. Frederick and Thinnes agree the art has been well-received everywhere thus far.

According to Thinnes, D.C. was the number one stop in planning for the Breakthrough tour. The program wouldn’t have survived if the exhibit couldn’t be in D.C. during Oct. 3, says Thinnes. The artists felt the same. They’re thrilled to be coming to the area to see what Frederick called, “the Berlin of America.”

“It’s going to put these German artists on the map in the U.S.,” Frederick says. “It’s a real coming-out for them.” Thinnes has faith in the exhibit because there’s “something that appeals to or shocks everyone.” Although the artists come from similar backgrounds, their art is as unique and distinctive as they are. Frederick hopes viewers will respond to each individual work.

“The art speaks for itself. And it’s a strong, dramatic statement,” Frederick says.

Thinnes has always valued youth outreach and strives to incorporate interesting, educational experiences.

Breakthrough Art is no different. Thinnes wants to promote the arts as an “island of security for people who’re facing certain obstacles,” while fostering a new awareness for the risks some people take for freedom.

“The world arena changed so significantly as a result of German unification,” Thinnes says. “The future of young people will be influenced more by that single event than anything in the world, but they don’t even know about it.”

Breakthrough Art is receiving support from George Mason University, Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University. As a professor at GMU, Frederick is excited to involve her students now as well as in future projects.

Neither Thinnes nor Frederick have definitive plans for Breakthrough Art’s next project, but the concept of art challenging cultural norms and influencing social and political arenas will remain.

Frederick is dedicated to Breakthrough Art, which she refers to as a “small and mighty” organization. Together, Thinnes and Frederick, seeking to promote the integrity of art and its indisputable role in society and change, have cultivated a vision and added to the cultural/arts nonprofit scene in the Metro-D.C. area. That is a scene that Frederick already considers rich.

Frederick says, “D.C. has an elevated sense of culture and art. It is too often looked at as only a political town.”