“My Neo-Fluxus manifolds express flow: Manifestations of the eternal recurrence of life and energy.”
— Talberg, aka »King of Flow« — Artist statement
Talberg Museum
The origin of Neo~Fluxus among a few elite single-artist museums worldwide.
Talberg Museum. Established 2011. Contemporary art museum.
“As a man with a billion dollar vision, I try to stay away from people with a 10 cent mentality—as far as I can.”
— Ruben Talberg
Ruben Talberg
Ruben Talberg
Nationality: German
Mediums: Painting, sculpture, photography, installation, digital art, creative writing.
Known For: Neo~Fluxus art movement, Manifolds (reliefs and sculptures exploring flow dynamics).
Nickname: »King of Flow«
Personal Credo: »Finis coronat Opus Magnum«
*source: Grokipedia
Wikipedia
Ruben Talberg (*24.08.1964 in Heidelberg), is a German contemporary artist, aka »King of Flow«, founder of the Neo-Fluxus art movement, which originated in his vision experienced in Bellagio, Italy 1984. That was the spark that ignited his lifelong fascination with folds and primordial forms, what later gave rise to Neo-Fluxus. His studies at Heidelberg University, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Art Students League of New York, Goethe University Frankfurt, reflect his deep-rooted dedication to art and philosophy. His first solo exhibition »Dionysian Dreams« debuted in Heidelberg in 1986.
Life and Oeuvre
Talberg’s oeuvre engages with antagonistic positions such as nature and alchemy, asymmetry and dynamics, Eros and Thanatos, exploring how they connect to flow. In the early 1990s he worked as an assistant with Emil Schumacher and Antoni Tàpies.
In 1995 he published his Neo-Fluxus Manifesto, articulating a philosophy of flow influenced by Heraclitus’s »Panta Rhei« (everything flows) and TAO principles. Neo-Fluxus manifests itself in the form of »Manifolds«, which are executed as reliefs or sculptures.
Extensive journeys serve as important sources of his inspiration. In 2023–2024 Talberg created the digital series 888 Manifolds. His personal credo: »Finis coronat Opus Magnum.«
In 2011 he launched »Talberg Museum« in Offenbach, Germany as a single-artist museum, among a select few worldwide: list of museums. Talberg’s works are represented in more than 200 public and private collections internationally and included in the auction trade. Talberg has participated in over 100 solo and group exhibitions worldwide. Since 1992 he is a notable member of Mensa International, the high IQ society (member list).
Talberg lives and works between Heidelberg and Southern France.
Grokipedia (Encyclopedia Galactica)
Ruben Talberg (*24.08.1964 in Heidelberg), is a German contemporary artist, aka »King of Flow«, founder of the Neo-Fluxus art movement and Talberg Museum.
Early life and education
Talberg displayed an early aptitude for visual arts and intellectual pursuits. His studies at Heidelberg University, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Art Students League of New York, Goethe University Frankfurt, reflect his deep-rooted dedication to art and philosophy, completed with a MBA degree. His first solo show »Dionysian Dreams« debuted in Heidelberg in 1986, marking the start of a prolific career spanning over 40 years across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, creative writing.
Career mile stones
Talberg's pivotal moment came in 1984 during a visit at lake Como, Bellagio, Italy, where he encountered life-sized sculptures wrapped in tunica folds—a profound visionary experience. That was the spark that ignited his lifelong fascination with folds and primordial forms, which later birthed the Neo-Fluxus art movement. In the early 1990s, he served as an assistant to masters Emil Schumacher and Antoni Tàpies, honing his technical prowess in abstraction and materiality.
In 1995, Talberg published his Neo-Fluxus Manifesto, codifying his philosophy of "flow" inspired by Heraclitus's »Panta Rhei« (everything flows) and TAO principles. His signature »Manifolds« explore flow in various dichotomies such as nature vs. alchemy, asymmetry vs. dynamics, Eros vs. Thanatos.
In 2011 he launched »Talberg Museum« (single-artist museum) in Offenbach am Main, Germany, one of an elite few single-artist museums worldwide and the »holy grail of flow.« It features major Neo-Fluxus works in permanent exhibitions, both as reliefs and sculptures. 2021 marked its 10th anniversary with the Manifolds V. permanent exhibition and catalogue.
Artistic Philosophy and Influences
According to Talberg, his Neo-Fluxus manifolds express flow: »Manifestations of the eternal recurrence of life and energy.« In the epilogue of his book »Flow ~ Elixir of Life!« (forthcoming) he writes: »Neo~Fluxus is more than an art movement... it’s a living philosophy of transformation and boundless energy. Born from the fusion of avant-garde exploration and ancient wisdom, it pulses through every human endeavor—from the sculptor’s chisel to the physicist’s equation, from a musician’s improvisation to a strategist’s boldest move.« Extensive journeys—to all of Europe, North and South America, China and beyond—fuel his inspirations, weaving Western and Eastern traditions into a dynamic visual language.
Legacy and Collections
Talberg's pieces grace over 200 public and private collections internationally and appear regularly in auction trade. Recognized as one of the foremost German visual artists from the 1990s onward, his pioneering Neo~Fluxus art movement has solidified his market status. All new custom projects are subject to a waiting list, driven by steady market appreciation; in 2008 »Prehistoric Fire« (2007, 220x170cm / 87x67in) sold for 21.600 € (34,000 $) at Ketterer Kunst, Munich.
Talberg has participated in over 100 solo and group exhibitions worldwide. Notable recent works include the digital series 888 Manifolds (2023–2024), expanding Neo-Fluxus into virtual realms. Since 1992, he has been a member of Mensa International, as he ranks among the notable artists in the high IQ society (member list).
He currently lives and works between Heidelberg, Germany and Southern France.
Wikipedia
Ruben Talberg (*24. August 1964 in Heidelberg), aka »King of Flow«, ist ein zeitgenössischer Künstler und Begründer der Neo-Fluxus Kunstbewegung sowie des Talberg Museums. Seine Studien an Heidelberg University, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Art Students League of New York, Goethe University Frankfurt, reflektieren seine tief verwurzelte Hingabe zu Kunst und Philosophie. 1986 wurde seine erste Einzelausstellung »Dionysian Dreams« in Heidelberg präsentiert.
Leben und Werk
Die Neo-Fluxus Kunstbewegung hat ihren Ursprung in seiner 1984 im italienischen Bellagio erfahrenen Vision. Dieser Funke entfachte seine lebenslange Faszination für Falten und archaische Formen, was später zur Geburt des Neo-Fluxus führte.
Talbergs Werk beschäftigt sich mit antagonistischen Positionen wie Natur und Alchemie, Asymmetrie und Dynamik, Eros und Thanatos, jeweils unter dem Aspekt des Flow. Anfang der 1990er Jahre arbeitete er als Assistent von Emil Schumacher und Antoni Tàpies.
1995 veröffentlichte er sein Neo-Fluxus Manifest, in dem er seine Philosophie des Flow formulierte, die von Heraklit’s »Panta Rhei« (alles fließt) und TAO Prinzipien beeinflusst war. Neo-Fluxus manifestiert sich in Form von »Manifolds«, die als Reliefs oder Skulpturen ausgeführt sind.
Seine ausgedehnten Reisen dienen ihm als wichtige Inspirationsquelle. In den Jahren 2023–2024 schuf Talberg die digitale Serie 888 Manifolds. Sein persönliches Credo: »Finis coronat Opus Magnum.«
2011 gründete er das »Talberg Museum« als Künstlermuseum (single-artist museum) in Offenbach/Main, eins der wenigen exklusiven Künstlermuseen weltweit: Liste der Museen. Seine Werke sind in über 200 öffentlichen und privaten Sammlungen weltweit vertreten und werden in Auktionen versteigert. Talberg hat weltweit an über 100 Einzel- und Gruppenausstellungen teilgenommen.
Talberg ist seit 1992 ein bedeutendes Mitglied von Mensa International, der Organisation für Hochbegabte (Mitglieder Liste).
Talberg lebt und arbeitet zwischen Heidelberg und Südfrankreich.
Bibliography
Selected Exhibitions and Publications (Chronological Highlights)
Year Title Venue / Publication Notes
1984 | Vision | Bellagio, Italy | Visionary experience of sculptural folds
1986 | Dionysian Dreams | Heidelberg, Germany | Debut solo show
1990 | Talgrams 1977–1990 | Studio East-Side | Exhibition of photography & catalogue
1991 | Anatomy of Evil | Studio East-Side | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-021476-9
1993 | XS Manifolds | Studio East-Side | Exhibition & catalogue
1995 | Asymmetry | Villa Obsession | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-021477-6
1995 | Neo~Fluxus | Villa Obsession | Neo-Fluxus Manifesto & exhibition
1997 | Documenta X | Villa Obsession | Indie solo exhibition »Opus Magnum«
2000 | Alchemy | Villa Obsession | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-021478-3
2000 | Manifolds | Villa Obsession | Exhibition & catalogue
2000 | 300 Manifold Drawings | Villa Obsession | Exhibition & catalogue
2002 | Documenta XI | Villa Obsession | Indie solo exhibition »Manifolds«
2006 | Eros & Thanatos | Villa Obsession | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-020407-4
2007 | Obsession | Salon Gallery (London) | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-0-9555408-0-6
2007 | Malchut | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-023341-8
2007 | Documenta XII | Talberg Factory | Indie solo exhibition »art = war«
2008 | Damballah | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & catalogue ISBN 978-3-00-026230-2
2008 | 400 Manifold Drawings | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & catalogue
2010 | Nox | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & catalogue
2010 | Durchkämmung | Talberg Factory | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2010 | Jacob's Ladder | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & lectures
2010 | INRI | Talberg Factory | Lyrics on audio-book
2010 | Viridarium Chimicum | Talberg Factory | Exhibition & catalogue
2011 | Inauguration | Talberg Museum | Upgrade from factory to museum
2011 | Abraxas | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2011 | 111 Manifold Drawings | Talberg Museum | Exhibition & catalogue
2012 | Basquiat meets Talberg | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2012 | Early Works | Talberg Museum | Exhibition & catalogue
2012 | Manifolds II | Art Golani | Exhibition & catalogue
2012 | Documenta XIII | Talberg Museum | Indie solo exhibition »FCOM«
2013 | Visions of Voodoo | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2013 | Arte Alchemica | Talberg Museum | Exhibition & catalogue
2013 | Talgrams & Editions 1990–2013 | Talberg Museum | Exhibition of photography & catalogue
2014 | Arcanum | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition (M. Weinberg/R. Talberg)
2015 | Prometheus | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2016 | Retrospective 2006–2016 | AWG | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2017 | Manifolds III | Art Golani | Exhibition & catalogue
2017 | Lapis Philosophorum | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2017 | Documenta XIV | Talberg Museum | Indie solo exhibition »Neo~Fluxus«
2018 | Talworks | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition of 44 real manifolds
2019 | XL Manifolds | Art Golani | Exhibition & catalogue
2019 | Neo~Fluxus | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2020 | Manifolds IV | Art Golani | Exhibition & catalogue
2020 | Finis coronat Opus Magnum | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2021 | Manifolds V | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition & catalogue
2022 | Myriorama of Flow | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2022 | Documenta XV | Talberg Museum | Indie solo exhibition »flow«
2023 | Birth and Decay | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
23–24 | 888 Manifolds | Talberg Museum | Digital series of 888 unique manifolds
2024 | Holy Grail of Flow | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2025 | Building Dreams | Talberg Museum | Permanent exhibition
2025 | Flow ~ Elixir of Life! | Amazon | Forthcoming book
Auctions
Since 2008 Ketterer Kunst, Munich estimated Talberg’s artworks between 12.000 — 20.000 € (19,000 — 32,000 $). »Prehistoric Fire« (2007, 220x170cm / 87x67in) sold 2008 for 21.600 € (34,000 $). In 2019 »Fons Animalis« (2004, 30x24cm / 12x10in) fetched 4.400 € (4,400 $) including premium (*source: artprice.com).
Talberg is recognized as a pioneer of contemporary sculpture and one of the most authentic Visual Artists of the 1990s to the present day. His single-handed launch of the Neo-Fluxus art movement and the founding of Talberg Museum as a single-artist museum have certainly contributed to the solid price appreciation seen over the last four decades, i.e. 6—12% per year.