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  3. Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting

auf etwas anverwandeln

English translation: transmute into

13:37 Aug 4, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
German term or phrase: auf etwas anverwandeln
From a review of an art show: "[Kunstwerk XYZ] verweist einmal mehr auf den landschaftlichen Charakter, der der Kunst nicht entgegensteht und auch darauf, dass der Gegensatz zwischen Natur und Kultur nur ein erzwungener ist, sich in den Wandlungen und im Wandeln der Welt auf das Schönste anverwandelt und ihr gleichwohl gegenüber steht."

I'm familiar with the construction "sich etwas anverwandeln" (where "etwas" is dative) but this "auf etwas anverwandeln" is throwing me for a loop. Is it just a mistake/a new way of saying the same thing (i.e. the opposition between nature and culture assimilates the beautiful)? Or does it have some other meaning?

As a further clue, here's what seems to be another occurrence, found at the URL below:
"Die Patient-Arzt-Beziehung entwickelt sich auf der Grundlage differenzierter Erwartungshorizonte des Patienten bezüglich Krankheitsverständnis und Therapie sowie der ärztlichen Grundhaltungen. Sie ist keine passiv entstehende Resultante der damit gekennzeichneten Dynamik, sondern eine kreative Beziehungsgestaltung. Durch sie wird das allgemeingültige Wissen zum Krankheitsverständnis und den Therapieoptionen auf die individuelle Situation des Patienten 'anverwandelt'."
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/103/2007/00000050/...

I'd appreciate any help figuring this out!
Patrick Hubenthal
Local time: 17:27
English translation:transmute into
Explanation:
...the opposites of nature and culture seem to be a mere contrivance, transmuting into [that which is] the most beautiful within the vicissitudes and rhythms of this world yet to stand in harmonious juxtaposition to it.

I think it's a bit of double entendre, to wit

auf das Schönste can be = 1. to that which is the most beautiful (thing among many)

OR 2. to that which is the most fitting or easy to solve (e.g. 'das hat am Schönsten geklappt'). I tend toward 1.

The reference is to "Gegensatz"

Since the Gegensatz is no more than an artifice or chimera (erzwungen/coerced, enforced, conjured up, imposed do not do justice to the text, IMO) the Wandlungen and Wandel der Welt gravitate (by Anverwandelung/transmutation) to (1.) that which is most beautiful (aufs Schönste) OR (2.) make it easy for the Gegensatz to be overcome , yet nonetheless remain in harmonious juxtaposition (to the Wandlungen der Welt)
Selected response from:

gangels (X)
Local time: 17:27
Grading comment
In the end I came up with my own solution for "auf das Schönste anverwandeln": "produces an exquisite approximation." But I do like "contrivance" -- thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
2transmute into
gangels (X)


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
transmute into


Explanation:
...the opposites of nature and culture seem to be a mere contrivance, transmuting into [that which is] the most beautiful within the vicissitudes and rhythms of this world yet to stand in harmonious juxtaposition to it.

I think it's a bit of double entendre, to wit

auf das Schönste can be = 1. to that which is the most beautiful (thing among many)

OR 2. to that which is the most fitting or easy to solve (e.g. 'das hat am Schönsten geklappt'). I tend toward 1.

The reference is to "Gegensatz"

Since the Gegensatz is no more than an artifice or chimera (erzwungen/coerced, enforced, conjured up, imposed do not do justice to the text, IMO) the Wandlungen and Wandel der Welt gravitate (by Anverwandelung/transmutation) to (1.) that which is most beautiful (aufs Schönste) OR (2.) make it easy for the Gegensatz to be overcome , yet nonetheless remain in harmonious juxtaposition (to the Wandlungen der Welt)

gangels (X)
Local time: 17:27
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 39
Grading comment
In the end I came up with my own solution for "auf das Schönste anverwandeln": "produces an exquisite approximation." But I do like "contrivance" -- thanks!
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