Friedensreich Hundertwasser hated architectural grayness

Vienna/Prague - His buildings are rich in diversity, colorfulness, and irregularity, featuring turrets, domes, mosaics, ceramic elements, irregularly scattered windows of various sizes, and diverse roofs. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on December 15, became famous first for his colorful paintings, in which he combined abstract and concrete elements into a decorative whole with the central motif of the spiral. As an architect, he was known for his absolute rejection of straight lines.

Inspired by the Vienna Secession, Gustav Klimt, and Egon Schiele, this action artist and global activist created his unique "Hundertwasser style." Based on his visions, around 200 buildings were constructed, mainly in Austria and Germany. Among his architectural works, the complex of residential buildings in Vienna stands out, having become one of the tourist magnets of the city due to its diversity and unconventionality.

Born Friedrich Stowasser, he claimed that the mission of the artist is to improve the world and make it more beautiful. He called the straight line the "devil's tool" and argued that such a thing does not exist in nature. Hundertwasser, "remover of architectural greyness," died on February 19, 2000, aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, on his way back from New Zealand.