The Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt is currently exhibiting the works of Thomas Bayrle, an 80-year-old artist who continues to push the boundaries of avant-garde art. Bayrle, born in Berlin in 1938, creates intricate images composed of hundreds of individual elements which explore the tension between the individual and the collective. His pieces often utilize motifs derived from contemporary culture, questioning blind consumption and the homogenization of mass culture. One of the standout works in this exhibition, titled "Fröhlich sein!" (Be Happy!), features the ubiquitous influencer Kim Kardashian rendered in a manner reminiscent of Vermeer’s "Girl with a Pearl Earring." This work serves as a critique of modern consumerism by depicting Kardashian's figure filled with countless vibrant lipsticks, effectively highlighting the superficiality of certain contemporary ideals of beauty and identity.

Bayrle’s work remains significant even after more than sixty years in the art scene, as it continues to resonate with pressing societal issues. By using current cultural icons, he invites reflection on consumer behavior and societal norms, making his pieces not just art but also a commentary on today’s reality. The exhibition exemplifies how art can remain relevant and provocative, stimulating discourse on individualism and mass culture in the digital age.