Anselm Kiefer

Caught a rare interview on TV last night with the German artist Anselm Kiefer. I particularly got interested in his interpretation of Merkavah, the 'chariot' tradition of early Kabbalah. This involved a mystical state rising through levels of existence, and Kiefer depicts this as seven towers or palaces, which are large structures:

http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/kiefer.html

The interview was held at his grounds, where he also has an underground labyrinth with exhibition spaces, which also connects to suspended tunnels above the ground.

What *really* made my ears perk was a reference to a "strange russian poet turned historian" who had 'calculated' that there was a 'decisive' sea-battle which affected the whole of history every 637 years (or some other precise figure which I am now trying to find!). Kiefer was using this figure on the side of his trademark "lead battleships," and said that it was patently nonsense, but also true ... he also contextualised it by pointing out man's need to find patterns in the unknowable world. It reminded me of the 'Aeons' of the Western Magical tradition, the Yuga's of the Eastern traditions, the Cycles of Ancient Aztec culture, and the Ages of the Astrologers ... all seeking patterns ... all making predictions ...

Do a search on Google Images for Anslem Kiefer and see some of his other works, particularly titles such as 'Lilith,' and 'The Artists Guardian Angel' amongst many other esoteric works.