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With
art brought from Europe, Kallir began the difficult task of introducing
a new style to the American eye. At the same time, he devoted himself
to emigration issues, becoming in 1940 chairman of hte
Austrian-American League, a group that worked to help imperilled
Austrian citizens escape Europe, while at the same time negotiating to
protect their legal status in the U.S., where unitl 1942 they were
officially considered Hitler supporters. Kallir personally signed as
many as 60 affidavits to support the immigration of refugees.
Beginning
in 1944, Johannespresse resumed activities with a series of German
literary projects. Over the next 5 years, Kallir published the verse of
his longtime friend, poet Richard Beer-Hofmann, also living in New York
exile. In addition, he produced a three-volume edition of lesser known
poetry and prose by Rilke, edited by the emigre literary historian,
Richard von Mises.
After
the war, Kallir, while continuing to run Galerie St. Etienne, became
involved in the restitution movement, aiding in attempts to restore
artworks looted by the Nazis to their original owners. |