Werner Horvath: "Lenin and Stalin. Oil on canvas, 105 x 125 cm, 1998.
This section contains paintings of Werner Horvath. His artistic style was taken from
Fantastic Realism in the early years to New
Constructivism in the later and more modern times. The term "New
Constructivism" is taken from the philosophical theory and based on the works of Vico, Uexküll,
Glasersfeld and Watzlawick, to name a few. The theoretical background is explained in detail by
the artist in a stage play in form of a text-collage, called Jahrtausendwende
- Die Theorie des neuen bildenden Konstruktivismus (in German). Horvath
had tried to portray in his paintings, the reality we rely on is not so real at
all. The world that we live in is understood only as we construct it ourselves. For
example, colours only exist in our consciousness, therefore are not "real".
The same is for objects and relationships. Finally they take into consideration
the fact that we live in a symbolic world. Not only do we view Stalin as a
Russian politician but also a symbol of dictatorship and cruelty. Horvath uses
current political events at the inspiration for his work and often the colours
and shapes used help to portray his opinion on our society.
As precursors of his style Horvath names Giuseppe Arcimboldo and M.C.Escher.
Werner Horvath is running studios in Austria ("Atelier Horvath" in Linz) and during the summer-months in Greece ("Villa Arte" in Kastellos, Island of Crete). Most of his paintings are also published in "Freud und Leid" (ISBN.3-9010-4040-4), "Mao, Marx und Marilyn" (ISBN.3-9010-4043-9) and "Große Denker" (ISBN.3-9010-4045-5), Selva-edition, Amstetten-Linz, 1999-2003.
Werner Horvath: "Lenin and Stalin. Oil on canvas, 105
x 125 cm, 1998.
The paintings of this section show political events; the pictures tell historical facts in a critical way.
Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Jim Morrison, Michael Jackson and Kurt Cobain are guests of this part of the museum. The paintings also comment on problems like drugs, Aids and pollution.
Constructivistic portraits of scientists, often combined with realistic scenes, explaining the background of their work.
Philosophy, Literature, Economics
Philosophy and politics are closely related, influencing each other. You can see portraits of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and Camus, but also of Marx and Sigmund Freud.
This section shows paintings from the so called "Greek period" of the artist, which followed his surrealistic phase. The period led to the development of the "New Constructivism". Hidden allusions to politics are included in the paintings.
This section contains early works of Werner Horvath in the style of "Fantastic Realism".
