ART ART ART (#3)

     With his child-like whimsicalness and explosive use of colors, Hundertwasser is one of my favorite artists! He is the pride of Vienna; a prolific artist who is simultaneously an architect, painter, and designer. As his name suggests ("Hundertwasser" means "hundred water"), he has an affinity for water. He asserts that water is the source of life and it cleanses the soul. As a result, his architectures are never without a fountain or some form of flowing water. During my visit to the Kunst Haus Wien, the Art House Vienna, I actually sat and listened to the water for half an hour. It was rather nice, the trickling sound of the water was baptismal. 

(image: Hundertwasser Haus, http://www.utip.info/cheesetoastie/images/artists/hundertwasser_bldg.jpg) 

1. Hundertwasser Haus: The residential apartment, designed by Hundertwasser, is one of the most covetious, prestigious adresses. The  exteior, covered in patches of the three primary colors: yellow, red, and blue, is characterized by Hundertwasser's signature lack-of-straight lines. The golden onion-shaped hat thing on the roof is also typical of the artist; he likes to draw/use onion motifs because onions, with its layers, signify life -- life reveals itself as each layer removes. Although it is impossible to go inside, you get a sense of Hundertwasser's fun-loving spirit. Take a look at the water fountain, with the twelve constellations (images shown above), in front of the apartment. Two essential elements: tile works & water.   
2. KunstHaus Wien: Close to the apartment complex is the Art House Vienna. It houses a large Hundertwasser collection, including his paintings, graphics, philosophy, ecology, and architecture. The ticket is super cute, it's a chunk (cardboard) of the KunstHaus Wien. The best way to describe my appreciation is simply thus: Hundertwasser's works make me happy. The image, scanned from a postcard that I bought, is titled "Green Town". The use of horizontal lines, which the artist adores and only uses, signifies a sense of infinity; for a horizontal line continues, whereas a vertical line connotes a definite, abrupt stop.