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Günter Brus: The Last Surviving Co-Founder of Vienna Actionism Past Away at 85

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Günter Brus: The Last Surviving Co-Founder of Vienna Actionism Past Away at 85

Günter Brus, the last surviving co-founder of the radical Vienna Actionism movement, passed away at 85. His provocative body art performances challenged societal norms and made a lasting impact on contemporary art.

Austrian artist Günter Brus, the last surviving co-founder of the radical Vienna Actionism movement, passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938, Brus was known for his provocative body art performances that defied societal norms and explored psychological dimensions.

Brus, born in Ardning, Obersteiermark, emerged as a key figure in the 1960s Austrian art scene. Alongside fellow artists Otto Muehl, Hermann Nitsch, and Rudolf Schwarzkogler, Brus co-founded the controversial Vienna Actionism movement. Their works, often using the body as a canvas, challenged the conservative establishment and sparked heated debates.

Brus' art continued to provoke and disturb the Austrian authorities. In 1968, during an art performance at the University of Vienna, he was sentenced to six months in prison for degrading Austrian state symbols. Fearing imprisonment, Brus, along with his wife and daughter, fled to Berlin in 1969.

After a decade in exile, Brus returned to Austria in 1979. His works became part of the permanent collections of various museums, showcasing his significant contributions to contemporary art.

Brus received numerous awards for his groundbreaking work. In 1997, he was honored with the Grand Austrian State Prize for Fine Arts. 

His legacy extends beyond his artworks. Along with the other Vienna Actionists, they refused to accept Austria's portrayal of itself as a victim of World War II instead of confronting its role in the Holocaust. Their provocative works served as a stark reminder of Austria's dark past.

Brus' passing marks the end of an era for Vienna Actionism. However, he lives on through the Bruseum museum in Graz.

Main Image :Günter Brus, Copyright Photo: Universalmuseum Joanneum/J.J. Kucek