– Guenter Brus death
– Austria’s actionism art movement.
Contemporary artist Guenter Brus, the Last Survivor of Vienna’s Famous “Actionists”, Passes Away at 85
Vienna, Austria – Guenter Brus, a renowned contemporary artist and the last surviving member of Vienna’s iconic “actionists”, has sadly passed away at the age of 85. The museum dedicated to the radical and provocative art movement confirmed this heartbreaking news on Sunday.
Born on September 27, 1938, in the village of Ardning, central Austria, Guenter Brus co-founded the influential art movement known as “Viennese Actionism”. He was a trailblazer in using the human body as a medium for artistic expression. His exceptional talent and groundbreaking approach to art gained him international recognition, making him an indispensable figure in the history of contemporary art.
Guenter Brus resided in Graz, eastern Austria, where a museum dedicated to his remarkable contributions to the art world is located. Roman Grabner, the curator of the Graz museum, acknowledged Brus’s immense significance in the art community, stating, “From an Austrian perspective, Guenter Brus is certainly one of the few who have outstanding international significance. It is impossible to imagine art history without him.” In September, a special retrospective exhibit was organized at the museum to celebrate the artist’s 85th birthday.
Alongside Otto Muehl, Hermann Nitsch, and Rudolf Schwarzkogler, Guenter Brus co-founded the “Body Art” movement in the 1960s. Together, they defied the boundaries of traditional painting by incorporating unconventional materials such as blood, urine, and excrement into their artworks. Their bold and controversial approach challenged societal norms and paved the way for a new era of artistic expression.
One of Brus’s most iconic performances took place in 1965 when he roamed the streets of Vienna with his body painted white, bisected by a jagged black line. This thought-provoking act, though met with his subsequent arrest by the police, symbolized the deep division within Austrian post-war society. Brus’s performance shed light on the struggles faced by individuals in a society grappling with its own identity.
However, the path of an actionist artist was not without its hardships. In 1969, Guenter Brus and his wife Anna, along with their young daughter, were forced to flee Vienna after he received a six-month jail sentence for degrading Austrian state symbols. The performance that led to his conviction involved Brus stripping naked in a university lecture hall, engaging in explicit acts, and chanting the national anthem. Seeking refuge, the family settled in Berlin before eventually returning to Austria.
The actionists, who grew up in the aftermath of World War II, refused to accept Austria’s portrayal of itself as a victim rather than confronting its role in the Holocaust. This shift in perspective eventually occurred in the 1980s. Brus boldly stated, “Vienna, as all of Austria, was contaminated by aging Nazis,” highlighting the country’s dark past as the birthplace of Adolf Hitler.
In 1970, Guenter Brus held his final live performance in Munich. During this impactful display, he appeared nude and purposefully cut himself with a razor blade, leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.
Guenter Brus leaves behind an extraordinary artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and challenge generations to come. His groundbreaking contributions to the art world will forever be remembered, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt by the global artistic community.
Rest in Peace, Guenter Brus.
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– Guenter Brus, last of Austria’s ‘actionism’ art movement, dies at
– Guenter Brus, prominent figure in Austria’s ‘actionism’ art movement, passes away at 85.
