Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Considering the completely uncommon rhythm of his name -- much less the style and breadth of his work -- I am really quite surprised that I had not heard of Hundertwasser until October. And I only yesterday came to have a higher appreciation for what he produced, after I browsed through a friend's book about him.*



"Friedensreich Hundertwasser was born in Vienna in 1928 as Friedrich Stowasser. He initially gained acclaim for his paintings, but is currently more renowned for his unique architectural stylings. His revolutionary ecological stands with regard to architecture earned him the nickname 'Architecture-Healer.' His works have been used for flags and stamps, coins and posters, schools and churches.

"In his youth, Hundertwasser attended a Montessori school in Vienna, which influenced both his affinity for vibrant colors and respect of nature. He collected pebbles and pressed flowers as a child, demonstrating an interest in items that are precious and small at an early age, which later manifested itself in his collections of Venetian glass and Japanese fabrics.

"Hundertwasser's only formal artistic training was during a three-month study at the Akademie der bildenden Künste in Vienna in 1948. The next year, he changed his name to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, which means "Peace-Kingdom Hundred-Water." Both names are uncommon in German-speaking countries."

Now back to the paintings...








* "The rigid, straight line is fundamentally alien
to humanity, life, and the whole of creation."

"Hundertwasser applied this philosophy not only to the famous Viennese buildings for which he was renowned, but all the media and artforms he experimented with during his wild and crazy career [He died in 2000 -- Ed.]. Whether it be painting, sculpture, performance art or designing a kindergarten, Hundertwasser's works are multi-coloured, organic, and shot through with a sense of the magical or fantastic.

"However, there are principles operating behind these joyful bursts of gold and silver. Hundertwasser's art always contained a political shade. He consistently rebelled against rationalist or determinist ideas, promoted ecological awareness, and mantained a passionate belief in the anarchy of the imagination."


This just in from Auntie M!

Hundertwassers regentag
[Hundertwasser's Rainy Day]
"The essence of the art of Friedensreich Hundertwasser captured on screen... Through subtle cross-fades, the painter's life and oeuvre merge in a magical, visual unity. Oscar nomination for Best Documentary in 1973."