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Walter Pichler, Hans Hollein’s radical collaboratorHans Hollein (left) and Walter Pichler (right), 1967. (Photo: F John Seiler)
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In 1960s Vienna, the architecture community was in an uproar over the explosion of radical experimentation by the Viennese avant-garde, which included Hans Hollein alongside Raimund Abraham, Walter Pichler, Coop Himmelb(l)au, and Haus-Rucker-Co. In 1963, Pichler and Hollein created their seminal collaborative exhibition, Architecture at Galerie St. Stephan, an exhibition that was only on view for four days, but so controversial that university professors forbade their students to see it. Their 1962 manifesto, Absolute Architecture largely influenced Hollein’s views that would later be expressed in his 1968 manifesto, Everything is Architecture.
Walter Pichler, “TV Helmet (Portable Living Room)”, 1967. (Courtesy Generali Foundation © Archive Walter Pichler)
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Walter Pichler (1936 - †2012) was an Austrian sculptor, architect, experimental artist, book and object designer. In 1963, he held his first exhibition with collaborator Hans Hollein at the Gallery St. Stephan in Vienna, which won both critical acclaim and controversy. His visionary architectural plans and artistic works dealt with themes of utopian ideals, experiments with space, and use of the physical body. Later he had seminal exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Documenta 4 in Kassel, and Documenta 6. In 1972, Pichler retreated to an old farm house where he would create the rest of his life’s work.
The two collaborated throughout the 1960s, with shared views about expanding architecture outside of its boundaries. The two continued to influence each other’s work, creating collages, inflatable structures, wearable architecture, and minimal environments. After the 1960s, the two parted ways and Pichler began a life of seclusion. He retreated to his farmhouse, transforming it into a live-in interdisciplinary art piece where he spent the rest of his years.
(Susie S Lee)Walter Pichler’s “Underground Building” project, isometric, 1963. Image © 2014 Walter Pichler, courtesy MOMA/Scala, Florence
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