Exceptional artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser was born in 1928 when Friedrich Stowasser was born in Vienna. His works from painting and printmaking to architecture are now world famous. He attached great importance to ecology and sustainability – in these areas he was a life-long activist. With his anti-totalitarian attitude and his very special sense of color and soft, round, crooked shapes, he still shapes the Viennese cityscape – even though he died in 2000.
The architectural works of art
For example, the Hundertwasserhaus in the third district can be visited from the outside: a residential complex that was colorfully designed by the artist in the 1980s. It also features lush green roof terraces, as the planting of living space was considered one of Hundertwasser’s architectural hallmarks. The facade of the Spittelau waste incineration plant designed by Wien Energie in the 20th district, which had been destroyed by a major fire, is also visible from afar.
The first stop for Hundertwasser and art fans, however, is clearly the multi-storey Kunst Haus Wien: this is where the Hundertwasser Museum can host a permanent exhibition on one of the most famous – and surely the most outstanding – Viennese artists of the 20th century be visited. In addition, the entire building has been designed according to the plans and designs of Hundertwasser. On the upper floors regularly changing exhibitions to other artists are initiated.
The person Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Incidentally, Friedensreich Hundertwasser was both ecologically and politically highly interested and active throughout his life – among other things, in the 1990s he spoke out clearly against Austria’s accession to the European Union. With his art in turn traveled – and beautified – he many other countries, e. Germany, Japan or the USA.
In addition to the successful architectural projects, he also caused a stir with numerous books -. with the design of the Hundertwasser Bible in the early 1990s. With its uneven shapes and dazzling colors, he spoke out in favor of a more humane architecture on the one hand and a more conscious and responsible use of natural resources on the other hand.
