RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Enjoy  >  The great curves: Friedensreich Hundertwasser

The great curves: Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Автор: 28.05.2020 | architecture, Austria
He made up his name to be one of a kind. Riot of his selfhood became the basis for enormous artistic heritage while architecture demonstrated the possibility to combine ecological compatibility with modern technologies.

Straight lines had been arousing Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s indignation since childhood. Dismal recollections of geometrically perfect columns of German soldiers marching his native Austria after its Anschluss by the Nazis are probably to blame. Since then the artist declared full-on war to regular shapes and this made him one of the most cognizable architects of the latest century. Bulbs that decorate Friedensreich’s buildings are known around the globe as a symbol of fight against straight alignment

Shapes created by Hundertwasser could be called queer if not for author’s strict concept that touched not only upon his pictural and literary works but also upon his life style itself. The artist had always worn odd socks, proclaimed his manifestos fully naked and protested against enlargement of EU as a structure that deprives peoples of their authenticity. Hundertwasser was a homilist of tuneful coexistence with nature and at the same time a fighter for any displays of selfhood. Even small details in his projects testify to that: every Hunderwasser’s window is stylistically unique, roofs are all sown with grass and reach for the sky with tops of trees planted along the perimeter. Faces of buildings graphically demonstrate the master’s belief in “Window Right”: any cave dweller is entitled to paint outer walls of the apartment within arm’s reach. Хундертвассерхаус-2.jpgPhoto bezkordonu.com

Hundertwasser turned to architecture when he had already gained popularity as a painter. His passion for journeys attributed to it significantly. By the age of 40 he had travelled the whole Europe having mastered numerous languages, visited Japan and countries of Arab Peninsular and North Africa. Milestone in all this movements became Spain since it is there, in Barcelona, where our “window” demiurge got acquainted with the mystic legacy of Antoni Gaudi. The Ausitrian himself more than once admitted he had been under the influence of the king of modern.

Read also: We were there: Vienna

Freethinking Hundertwasser felt architecture as if it was his third skin alongside his own skin and clothing. And despite his utmost whimsicality, the concept has awoken a decent echo in hearts of people in different countries. Hundertwasser’s houses can be seen not only in his motherland but also in Germany, Switzerland, USA, Japan and New Zealand. Among them there are small projects that the architect came up with redesign for, comprehensive architectural complexes and even industrial constructions. Hundertwasser wasn’t above embodying his ideas into creations of the most diverse scales. In his most famous house in Vienna about fifty apartments, cafés, parking and terraces are situated while just as pretentious a building in Magdeburg – the Green Citadel, concluded after the architect’s death, – is designed to accommodate over a hundred residential and office premises aside from a theatre and a hotel. It is noteworthy that Friedensreich refused to take payment for his Vienna project: it was enough for him that nothing ugly was erected in the place.Хундертвассерхаус-3.jpgPhoto bezkordonu.com

As an environmentalist Hundertwasser had always been interested in waste treatment issues. He stated that nature had no garbage and excrements so they shouldn’t evoke disgust in people. Philosophy of a like nature found its vent in designing of refuse burning factory in Vienna and even in erecting public lavatory in New Zealand. Both objects despite being literally trash-focused have amazing amounts of tourists willing to check them out.Photo lh3.googleusercontent.com

To conclude with, back to our “geography of the concept” it is worth saying that it wasn’t only WC-building that connected Friedensreich to New Zealand. This country occupied a special place in his life, level with Spain. Here he erected his dream dwelling and was buried here as well. Everything according to his will: no clothing, no coffin, near the roots of a tree.

Cover photo ru.maps.me

Вам это будет интересно:
Appeasement and beauty. Impressive temples of Asia
Buddhists say: to get rid of suffering, one should get rid of desire. There are special places for that. Today we suggest you to check out our top five of stunning temples, where Buddhists and tourists are looking for a way to harmony for their souls.
Holy beauty! What are the most famous abbeys in the world hiding?
What do you imagine when you hear the word "abbey"? I'm sure most people will first of all think of Westminster. But what if I said that in fact it is no longer an abbey? So what makes these medieval buildings so special? Let's look at the example of buildings from different European countries.
Eastern hights
Stereotypes are terrible. They form a definite picture of the world in our heads, and it is not so easy to change. Take, for instance, the concept of skyscraper: imagination of 90% people immediately provoke skyline of American cities, familiar from movies and TV. It is quite logical, but nowadays panorama of the best luxury skyscrapers is in other direction – keep moving to the East. For Arab structures may outdo Western ones in all respects.
PHOTOproject: Beyond Warsaw
We were catching the warm spring sun rays at almost empty Warsaw Sunday streets. When the sun had hidden behind the skyscraper - we got high on the tallest among them to enjoy the sunset.
The most beautiful churches in the world: charm and divine power
The architecture of temples has interesting and sometimes controversial history. Quite often the novelties and fundamentals of movements in architecture started with the building of temples with sophisticated design. The Polish Roman Catholic churches are rather bright in their beauty.
Yodel - Music of the Austrian mountains
Austrian tour operators launched an unusual touristic tourdesigned for fans of singing style called yodel. Hikers wander through the Ziller Valley, a broad trail narrows opening the way for only the most avid travellers, then track leads upwards. Tourists look into the interactive station shaped as a giantsonorous walk-in cowbell, then they go around thelargest alpine horn and head to place...
Le Grand Louvre
First exhibition of paintings in the world’s most visited museum the Louvre was opened on 1793. But its building was well-known far beyond France, though the edifice was not used with such lofty cultural purposes.
Sculpture of the Vatican: history and philosophy
"A small territory with a great mission" is the motto under which on February 11, 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See recognized Vatican as a sovereign territory. It was an agreement which opened doors for curious patrons who for centuries had been trading gossip about "What is kept inside Vatican castles?".
VIDEO. Bethlehem: perfect holiness
On this great holiday for all Christians of the Orthodox rite, we want to present you a video about the holy places of Palestine, namely the city of Bethlehem.
Snow-covered peaks. Best winter resorts
The cold season brings not only such important things as wrapping into a reindeer sweater, drinking hot chocolate and once again reviewing Christmas comedies. Thus, sport has not been canceled yet, so OUTLLOK compiled top five ski resort bucket list for you to cheer up and get out of your winter sleep.
One Lives And Learns – World’s Most Interesting Campuses
With this article, we want to inspire both current and future students with a selection of the most impressive universities and institute campuses. Those who have already received degree will probably get filled with admiration, too, and start thinking whether or not to get another one because in such places one hits the books especially fruitfully.
We were there: Prague
Where to look for Clementin, the narrowest hotel in Czech Republic merely 3.28 meters wide, how to chose between Pilsner Urquel, Krušovice and Gambrinus, when to feed gold-colored carps and why tram 91 has no peer? Elvira Matrosova learned about these and more. And despite the fact that this city stands on Vltava (Wilth-ahwa – literally means Wild water), it is aristocratic, consistent and calm yet far from Puritanism.
The Sistine Chapel Illusions
More than fifteen hundred years ago Romans were awe struck when they caught the very first sight of the Sistine Chapel. After that masters of painting were born and dead as well as whole pictural art styles. And contemporaries of you and me gape on the distinguished temple.
We were there: Vienna
Vienna is a blood vessel of old Europe known for being aristocratic, sophisticated, filled with museums. Photographer Yulia Kochetova says what visiting this city it is mandatory to attend the Opera, pay homage to royal palaces and drink delicious coffee with cream.There are 80 city museums out of which one can and should choose, so let’s start falling in love with the Vienna Museum Quarter.
Bregenz. To the Theatre in a Tuxedo And on a Catamaran
Especially for those who believe theater and opera music to be vestige of the past, we tell about an amazing Austrian theater where traditional art meets technical and engineering novelties and also a great view of the Alps.
Not only a tower is a symbol. The best works of Gustav Eiffel
The word is, Guy de Maupassant hated Eiffel Tower. The famous writer believed that it was uglifying the face of Paris without benefiting the city. Nevertheless, he could be often seen in a cozy cafe on the top of the construction. In such cases the author of “Bel Ami” used to say that “it was the only way the damned tower dropped out of his sight…”
Canadian skyscrapers: Upwards and Downwards
There is hardly a person, who did not cancel his or her appointment or a walk due to nasty weather, since it is a challenge to get dressed, to keep warm, to wait in the bitter cold for transport, instead you feel like wrapping yourself in blanket and read a book.
Innsbruck: Fabulous city framed by the Alps
Austria Tyrol area is very distinctive. It has its unique cuisine, and even its own style of singing. Here the centuries-old history is perfectly coupled with natural beauty and sport facilities. Top of diversity manifestation is small mountain town of Innsbruck. It is the administrative centre of Tyrol, as well as one of the cleanest places in Europe, popular sports resort and a world-famous centre of contemporary art.
Montserrat: Visiting Angels
Should we have a look at notes of those who plan their trips to Spain, next to the darling of all hearts, Barcelona, Montserrat is bound to rank second. Also, the mountain of the abbey is a must-visit spot for local dwellers, too – they believe it necessary to visit Catalonia’s religious heart at least once a year.
Stroll Around Dungeons of Europe: Paris, Berlin, Prague
Sauntering through picturesque nooks of Grand Dame Europe we look around without even suspecting how many interesting things there are beneath our feet. If you are annoyed with standard tours that include marathon race around museums and monuments, we suggest you have a look at good Old World from a different perspective. Or more specifically, look under its feet.
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page