Kunst Haus Wien - Hundertwasser

Kunst Haus Wien is a museum and home for the works of the famous Austrian artist Hundertwasser. The modern building itself is an example of creative architecture with it's crooked lines, funky/innovative style, and uneven floors.

"The flat floor is an invention of the architects. It fits engines, not human beings." - Hundertwasser

Friedensreich Hundertwasser (German: hundred water), was an Austrian painter and sculptor (December 15, 1928 - February 19, 2000). He was born Friedrich Stowasser to a Jewish family in Vienna. Before he was twenty, all of his relatives on his mother's side were killed in the Holocaust.

By the end of the 20th century, he was arguably the best-known living Austrian artist. Although Hundertwasser first achieved notoriety for his boldly-colored paintings, he is more widely renowned today for his revolutionary architectural designs, which incorporate natural features of the landscape, and use of irregular forms in his building design. The common themes in his work are a rejection of the straight line, bright colors, organic forms, and a reconciliation of humans with nature.

After a long-standing career in avant-garde art, he died on board the QE2 while sailing from his adopted New Zealand on a trip back to Europe. He is buried in New Zealand, in his garden of the Happy Dead, under a tulip tree.

The above photo and the following 4 photos show the exterior of the building. A close up of a pillar made of colorful decorative tiles.A shot of the inner courtyard which also features a restaurant.Decorated with pumpkins.Astrid checking out the pumpkins.A unique fountain found inside the downstairs lobby.Astrid fascinated by the fountain.Trying to jump into the fountain.Our little pumpkin fits right in with her orange shirt.Bringing Mama a leaf.

We weren't allowed to take photos of the interior gallery exhibits (located upstairs), but you can visit the website for a virtual tour at:

http://www.kunsthauswien.com/

I've also posted 4 thumbnail pics of Hundertwasser paintings below: