# Albrecht Behmel

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{{Short description|German novelist, historian and playwright}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Albrecht Behmel
| image = Albrecht.Behmel.jpg
| caption = Behmel in 2011 at Filmforum.
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|df=yes|1971|3|24}}
| birth_place = [Baden-Württemberg](/source/Baden-W%C3%BCrttemberg), [West Germany](/source/West_Germany)
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Novelist
* screenwriter
* essayist
}}
| genre = comedy, drama, fantasy, non-fiction
| pseudonym   = Albrecht, Timothy Patterson
| years_active   = 1999–present
| nationality   = German
| education     = Master of Arts
| alma_mater    = [University of Heidelberg](/source/University_of_Heidelberg)
}}

'''Albrecht Behmel''' ({{IPA|de|German:  ˈalbʁɛçt ˈbeːməl|lang}}; born 24 March 1971) is a German artist, novelist, historian, non-fiction writer and award-winning playwright.

==Surname and family history==
Son of geologist [Hermann Behmel](/source/Hermann_Behmel) and grandson of architect Paul Behmel. The uncommon family name is a Germanicized form of the [Czech](/source/Czechs) given name ''[Bogomil](/source/Bogomil)'' from where (Bohemia) their family emigrated to [Saxony](/source/Saxony) in the early 18th century. On his mother's side he is a descendant of [Christoph Martin Wieland](/source/Christoph_Martin_Wieland), a [Swabia](/source/Swabia)n poet and writer of the [Enlightenment](/source/Age_of_Enlightenment).{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

==Life==
After working as a bouncer and a puppeteer in [Paris](/source/Paris), France, in the early 1990s, Behmel moved to Germany to complete his studies in humanities in [Heidelberg](/source/Heidelberg), where he was a fellow student of [Silvana Koch-Mehrin](/source/Silvana_Koch-Mehrin) and Gerrit Jasper Schenk and at [Humboldt University](/source/Humboldt_University), Berlin, Germany. He has published on ancient history, Greek naval warfare and early German literature like the [Nibelungenlied](/source/Nibelungenlied). Most notably, however, are a series of self-help e-books for fellow students, making him one of the pioneers of German electronic publishing.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} He used the pseudonym Timothy Patterson for two titles. He is noted to suffer from insomnia. He was a business consultant between 1995 and 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
His published work includes novels, like [Mitte 1](/source/Mitte_1), ''Homo Sapiens Berliner Art''; radio plays, computer games, film scripts <ref>M - das Lifestyle & Technik Magazin, 1/2013. p. 24-28"</ref> and stage plays as well as non-fiction. He has worked for a number of German and international TV stations, like [ARTE](/source/Arte) and [ARD](/source/ARD_(broadcaster)). Behmel founded a network for film and media professionals, Filmforum, in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theapolis.de/de/ueber-unsdas-berliner-filmforum/|title=Theapolis|website=[Theapolis](/source/Theapolis)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://issuu.com/taxidrivers/docs/taxi_drivers_n_15|title=Interview with Albrecht Behmel in Italian, P. 27|access-date=2012-01-05|archive-date=2009-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001183436/http://issuu.com/taxidrivers/docs/taxi_drivers_n_15|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2013 he founded [Samiel Award](/source/Samiel_Award), an annual literary prize for antagonists of newly published German novels. The first Samiel Award went to Austrian writer Jan Kossdorff for a dark humor novel about human trafficking and advertising agencies. The award is supported by publisher Marc Hiller of Stuttgart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://digitalpublishers.de/category/samiel-award/|title = Autorenwissen - dp DIGITAL PUBLISHERS}}</ref> Winning writers receive 666 Euros, the [number of the beast](/source/number_of_the_beast).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sylt-tv.com/tierischer-sylt-krimi-ueberzeugt-jury-beim-samiel-award-2014038.html|title=Tierischer Sylt Krimi überzeugt Jury beim Samiel Award 2014|website=www.sylt-tv.com|date=15 April 2014 }}</ref>

==''The Magic of the Swarms''==
A series of paintings developed by Albrecht in 2013 and 2014. ''The Magic of the Swarms'' is about the fusion of shapes into more complex forms and about the interaction of colours. But it is also a geometrical game called Abstrahism: Intricate chaotic systems consist of simple overlapping elements. The colours help define the shape, but at the same time emphasise the intricacies of the interaction of each silhouette. The work is influenced by ecclesiastical lead lights and Buddhist mandalas.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Real-life silhouettes merge into something almost but not totally abstract - a swarm of forms that is more than the sum of its elements or parts. It is a way to perceive the world using techniques of geometry and cartography to depict motion and form. Expressive colours underline the aspects of contrast and combination. Three-dimensional bodies are reduced to two dimensions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.artsceneindia.com/2016/08/interview-albrecht-behmel-era-of-artist.html|title=Interview: Albrecht Behmel - This is the Era of the Artist|first=Nalini|last=Malaviya}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portraymag.com/2018/04/the-dark-side-of-marvelous/|title=The Dark side of MARVELous|date=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

==Exhibitions==

'''2026'''

* Ikonen, Rasselmania, Hildesheim
* Werkschau 2, Galerie Meinlschmidt, Kunsthalle Balingen
* JO21, Neues Wieder Sehen, Stuttgart

'''2025'''

* Werkschau 1, Galerie Meinlschmidt, Kunsthalle Balingen
* Topologie, Dahler Rosewood, München
* Works, Jule Plate Galerie List auf Sylt
* Superheroes Batman, Hulk and Thor”, LUMAS, Hannover & Stuttgart
* Genesis”, St. Rupert, Traunstein

'''2024'''
* ART 4 Ukraine, Berlin (Connected Hearts)
* Palais Wickenburg, Vienna
* Lentfest, AGAP, Archdiocese of Glasgow
* KSI, Siegburg

'''2023'''
* Kunsthalle Löffingen
* Art4Ukraine, St Wendel
* Art4Ukraine Düsseldorf
* Art4Ukraine Frankfurt/M

'''2022'''
* Preview ML Konzept, Freudenstadt
* United in Peace, Böblingen

'''2021'''
* Kreative Hug, Freudenstadt

'''2020'''
* Kunsthalle Altensteig
* Städtische Kunstsammlung Jena

'''2019'''
*Baiersbronn Conversations

'''2018'''
*Chateau Savant, Cannes, France
*Taste of Contemporary, Miami, USA
*Gesichter einer Stadt, photo exhibition, Freudenstadt
*Featured Artist at DMEXCO, Cologne

'''2017'''
*Dark Side of Marvelous, Beverly Hills, CA, USA, Solo Show
*Acts of Kindness Gala, Manila Philippines, Group Show
*Art Expo New York, Pier 94

'''2016'''
*Rathaus Backnang, 2016 (solo)
*Convensis Group, Stuttgart, 2016 (solo)
*Universitätsklinik Mannheim, 2016 (solo)
*Al Madad Foundation, London, 2016 (group)
*Landtag von Brandenburg, Potsdam, 2016 (group)
*Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France, 2016 <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.neuschwansteiner.com/en/blog/neuschwansteiner-at-louvre/ |title=Neuschwansteiner |access-date=2016-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020043938/http://www.neuschwansteiner.com/en/blog/neuschwansteiner-at-louvre/ |archive-date=2016-10-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''2015'''
*Touring Exhibition, Berlin, Riga, St. Petersburg, London, 2015
*Evelina Children's Hospital, London, 2015 (group)
*White Space Black Box Galerie, Neuchatel, 2015 (group)
*Amrey Heyne Galerie, Stuttgart, 2015 (group)

==Style and motifs==
Two recurring motifs of most of his books are urban culture and the pitfalls of modern communication but also [horsemanship](/source/horsemanship) and [alcoholism](/source/alcoholism) or a mix thereof. Irish folk music, academic ceremonies and ancient mythology appear in some fiction works. Most dialogues feature a variety of German [dialects](/source/dialects) and slangs. Some novels have been compared to the work of Israeli writer [Ephraim Kishon](/source/Ephraim_Kishon).{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

thumb|Albrecht Behmel, 2013

==Political views==
The general standpoint professed in most of his non-fiction works can be described as [libertarian](/source/Libertarianism), anti-establishment, christian and pro-science with a general distrust in worldly doctrines, political ideologies of whatever color. A recurring thought is that institutions like most governments, schools, and universities have not kept up with current social developments for decades, and in some cases, centuries, which contradicts their claim to leading positions within society.<ref>[http://www.100-beste-bestseller-buecher.de/beispiel-seite-2/rezensionen/albrecht-behmel-doktor-faust-und-mephisto-oder-die-teufelsreise/ Review Faust] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619031411/http://www.100-beste-bestseller-buecher.de/beispiel-seite-2/rezensionen/albrecht-behmel-doktor-faust-und-mephisto-oder-die-teufelsreise/ |date=June 19, 2013 }}</ref>

==Awards==
* Radio play, September 2003: [Hörspiel des Monats](/source/H%C3%B6rspiel_des_Monats) for ''[Ist das Ihr Fahrrad, Mr. O'Brien?](/source/Ist_das_Ihr_Fahrrad%2C_Mr._O'Brien%3F) Eine Hörspielcollage aus der Welt der Wissenschaft und des Suffs'', directed by: [Nikolai von Koslowski](/source/Nikolai_von_Koslowski).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.darstellendekuenste.de/id-2003.html |title=Akademie der Darstellenden Künste |access-date=2012-01-04 |archive-date=2012-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510094029/http://www.darstellendekuenste.de/id-2003.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dradio.de/dlf/sendungen/hoerspiel/234404/ First Broadcast Deutschlandradio]</ref> About the life, the work and death of the Irish writer [Flann O'Brien](/source/Flann_O'Brien).

== Bibliography ==
{{cleanup list|section|date=May 2016}}

===Fiction===
* ''[The Threshold](/source/The_Threshold_(novel))'', Digital Publishers, Stuttgart, 2015
* ''[The Stronghold (novel)](/source/The_Stronghold_(novel))'', Urbane Publications, London, 2015
* ''[Mitte 2](/source/Mitte_2_(novel))'', 110th, Satzweiss, 2014
* ''[Mitte 1](/source/Mitte_1)'', 110th, Satzweiss, 2013
* ''[Doktor Faust und Mephisto](/source/Doktor_Faust_und_Mephisto)'', 110th, Satzweiss, 2013
* ''[Homo Sapiens Berliner Art](/source/Homo_Sapiens_Berliner_Art)''. Schenk, Passau 2010, {{ISBN|978-3-939337-78-2}}
* ''[Das Nibelungenlied. Ein Heldenepos in 39 Abenteuern](/source/Das_Nibelungenlied._Ein_Heldenepos_in_39_Abenteuern).''  Nacherzählung. Ibidem-Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-89821-145-2}}
* ''Auf dem Rücken der Pferde liegt das Glück dieser Erde''. Weltbild, Augsburg 2006, {{ISBN|3-8289-8118-6}}
* ''Von der Kunst, zwischen sich und dem Boden ein Pferd zu behalten''. Berlin 2005, {{ISBN|3-89769-910-9}}

===Non-fiction===
* ''Lexikon der Filmschurken'' January 2020
* ''The Successful Kid - A Diary for Smart Young Minds'', August 2015
* ''Die [Mitteleuropa](/source/Mitteleuropa)debatte in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Zwischen Friedensbewegung, kultureller Identität und deutscher Frage''. Ibidem-Verlag, Hannover 2011, {{ISBN|978-3-8382-0201-3}}
* ''[1968 – Die Kinder der Diktatur](/source/1968_%E2%80%93_Die_Kinder_der_Diktatur). Der Mythos der Studentenbewegung im ideengeschichtlichen Kontext des „hysterischen Jahrhunderts“ 1870 bis 1968''. Hannover 2011, {{ISBN|978-3-8382-0203-7}}
* ''Erfolgreich im Studium der Geisteswissenschaften''. Francke, Tübingen 2005, {{ISBN|3-7720-3371-7}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://geisteswirtschaft.de/albrecht-behmel-erfolgreich-im-studium-der-geisteswissenschaften/ |title=Review |access-date=2013-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825033524/http://geisteswirtschaft.de/albrecht-behmel-erfolgreich-im-studium-der-geisteswissenschaften/ |archive-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Manuskripte druckreif formatieren.'' Ibidem-Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-89821-137-1}}
* ''Was sind [Gedankenexperiment](/source/Gedankenexperiment)e? Kontrafaktische Annahmen in der Philosophie des Geistes – der [Turingtest](/source/Turing_Test) und das Chinesische Zimmer.'' Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-89821-109-6}}
* ''[Themistokles](/source/Themistokles), Sieger von Salamis und Herr von Magnesia. Die Anfänge der athenischen Klassik zwischen Marathon und Salamis.'' Stuttgart 2000, {{ISBN|3-932602-72-2}}

===Radio plays===
* ''[Ist das Ihr Fahrrad, Mr. O'Brien?](/source/Ist_das_Ihr_Fahrrad%2C_Mr._O'Brien%3F)''  Eine Hörspielcollage aus der Welt der Wissenschaft und des Suffs. SR 2003

===Computer games and films===
* Out of the Present<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crew-united.com/en/Albrecht-Behmel_281268.html|title=Albrecht Behmel|website=Crew United}}</ref>
* Fortress Under Siege

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{wikiquote-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120819172635/http://behmel.de/ Personal blog]
* [http://wasmitbuechern.de/index.php/2012/12/26/albrecht-behmel-die-langsamkeit-der-deutschsprachigen-verlage-kann-einem-autor-ganz-schon-zu-schaffen-machen/ Interview in German on "Was mit Büchern"]
* [http://www.wikiart.org/en/albrecht-behmel Wikiart Albrecht Behmel]
* www.behmel.de

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Behmel, Albrecht}}
Category:1971 births
Category:Living people
Category:German libertarians
Category:Writers from Berlin
Category:Postmodern writers
Category:Humboldt University of Berlin alumni
Category:Heidelberg University alumni
Category:20th-century German novelists
Category:21st-century German novelists
Category:20th-century German historians
Category:German male novelists
Category:German male dramatists and playwrights
Category:21st-century German dramatists and playwrights
Category:20th-century German male writers
Category:21st-century German male writers
Category:German male non-fiction writers
Category:Catholic artists
Category:Christian artists

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Albrecht Behmel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_Behmel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_Behmel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.