Product Description

Friedrich Stowasser (1928, Vienna-2000, New Zealand), better known by the name of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, was a painter, thinker, and architect, or rather a 'doctor of architecture,' as he declared in his manifesto of the 24th of January 1990. His architectural creations, organic and full of imagination, may have been influenced by the works of Antoni Gaudi. Yet, Hundertwasser was more radical in his philosophy. As expressed in his remarkable eco-artistic manifestos, and other achievements (paintings, posters, stamps, houses, and architectural designs), his message remains profoundly and viscerally ecological.His pictorial work is characterised by an organic abundance of forms and by the brilliance of its colours. Hundertwasser is an artist who is difficult to classify. With his tremendous love of nature, he is one of the pioneers of humanist and environmentalist architecture, which attempted to reconcile creativity and ecology. This vision has been shared by many young artists all over the world and by the founders of eco-villages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #251264 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .38 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 197 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation)

About the Author
Pierre Restany remains the most influential French art critic of the second half of the 20th century. A witness to the dynamic New York art scene, he founded, along with Yves Klein, the "New Realism," an artistic movement created in reaction to Pop Art, which expressed the distress of the post-war period. Always alert and on the lookout for new artistic creation, this eminent art critic became interested in Hundertwasser's fascinating work and ecological theory. They met on several occasions: in Paris in 1957, and also in Vienna, where they spent three days together. This text is an account of the encounters between two exalted giants of the artistic scene, as well as the homage of a critic to the great Austrian artist.

Customer Reviews

Hundertwasser
A really colorful, informative book. It is filled with clear, clean pictures of the artist & his works.

More beautiful than I expected!
This book is informative and very well made. Hundertwasser is one of my favorite artists and I own several books about his life and work. This is one is (so far) the best. The Taschen book reproduces his work beautifully, showcasing the washes and color use that make his work truly sublime. It also contains some wonderful photographs of the buildings he designed, which make one wish all construction could be so imaginative. This book was more than I expected for a very fair price.

Eye candy, but not fattening!
I am a quilter, and bought this book largely because of my love for batiks,(which are cotton fabrics hand dyed)and on recollection of a show I saw 32 years ago on Hundertwasser in Toronto's ROM.I like it,big time.Yep,there's no gold leaf in them thar hills and curves of Hundertwasser repros,if it bothers you enough,grab a gold leaf marker and add it yourself.Taschen offers value for your money,if you want gold leaf,you may have to add another 20.00 to the cost of the book.I have no problems about the quality of the repros.Anything that looks like pale brown,try and doublecheck,it is likely it is gold leaf. The artist may not have alot to say as other painters,but his designs,and color sense are really got me going into my studio.
I am glad I got it!