About
Hundertwasser (b. 1928, d. 2000) was an Austrian artist, architect and environmentalist. Born Friedrich Stowasser, he studied art at the Academy of Fine Arts (Vienna), eventually changing his name to Friedensreich Hundertwasser. He was primarily active from 1948 - 1999.
Much of his artwork and style was inspired by the Vienna Secessionist movement, mainly Klimt, and Schiele, in addition to Antoni Gaudi. He first achieved notoriety for his bold-colored paintings, and would eventually become associated with the Transautomatism, Surrealism, and Magic Realism movements. Transautomatism was born of Hundertwasser’s work and theory that straight lines are “godless and immoral,” as we require multiple perspectives as humans. Much of Hundertwasser’s art and architecture reflect his belief in the fluidity of line and shape.
From the 1950s, he increasingly focused on architecture, advocating for human and environmentally friendly buildings. During this time, he wrote manifestos, essays and held demonstrations advocating for this work. He held the belief that “human misery was the result of the rational, sterile, monotonous architecture.”
Hundertwasser’s later activism centered on campaigning for the preservation of natural habitat. He wrote manifestos for ecological positions, and in the 1970s, his first architectural models were built. Many of these features forested roofs, “tree tenants,” and the greening of urban landscapes. He would go on to design posters to support the protection of nature and conservancies, donating to environmental organizations and initiatives. Building this awareness led to leading lectures, campaigns, and further involvement in environmentalism and sustainability efforts worldwide.
--Rachel Brenner, Spring 2023
Works Cited
Artnet Worldwide Corporation. (n.d.). Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Artnet.com. https://www.artnet.com/artists/friedensreich-hundertwasser/
Austrian National Tourist Office . (n.d.). Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an artist at one with nature. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Artist at One with Nature. https://www.austria.info/en/culture/artists-and-masterpieces/friedensreich-hundertwasser-artist-in-harmony-with-nature
Hundertwasser non-profit foundation. (n.d.). Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Hundertwasser. https://hundertwasser.com/en
Hundertwasser non-profit Foundation. (n.d.). Hundertwasser Biography. Hundertwasser.com. https://hundertwasser.com/en/biography/biography
Kunst Haus Wien. (n.d.). Museum Hundertwasser. Museum Hundertwasser – Kunst Haus Wien. https://www.kunsthauswien.com/en/exhibitions/museum-hundertwasser/
Wikimedia. (2023, May 9). Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedensreich_Hundertwasser