First published in 1910 in Berlin and founded by Herwarth Walden (1878−1941) together with Alfred Döblin (1878−1957), the magazine
Der Sturm was the mouthpiece of the Expressionist avant-garde. It was originally published weekly, then bimonthly and eventually monthly from 1915 until its discontinuation in 1932. Among the contributors, who added considerably to the publication’s success, were Adolf Loos (1870–1933), Peter Altenberg (1859–1919), Paul Scheerbart (1863–1915) and Else Lasker-Schüler (1869–1945). Along with literary essays, the magazine also printed contributions by artists including Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944), Oskar Kokoschka (1886–1980), August Macke (1887–1914), Franz Marc (1880–1916) and Gabriele Münter (1877–1962). Oskar Kokoschka (1886–1980), who was active for the magazine from 1910, created numerous illustrations. The front page of the issue dated 17th November 1910 features the work
Sink or Swim!. The title alludes to an idiom used since the 16th century, which Kokoschka also incorporated into his play
Sphinx and Strawman (1909). With its densely placed lines and chaotic-looking composition, the artist came close to abstraction with this depiction.
AS, 2021
