A heated dispute has emerged surrounding a commemorative exhibition at the Ernst Fuchs Museum in Vienna's Hütteldorf district, marking the tenth anniversary of the renowned Fantastic Realist artist's death. The exhibition, titled "My Studio is Deserted," opened on Tuesday but has sparked controversy even before its official launch due to the inclusion of early works by fellow artist Arnulf Rainer, much to Rainer's displeasure.
The conflict centers around sketches and drawings that date back to the late 1940s when Fuchs and Rainer shared a studio space in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district. When Fuchs moved to Paris, he left the studio to his colleague Rainer. However, upon his return years later, Fuchs reportedly discovered and kept some of Rainer's sketches and drawings from that period. These works are now being displayed publicly for the first time as part of the commemorative exhibition.
Rainer has vehemently objected to the display of these early works, accusing the late artist of having taken the pieces from the trash. According to Rainer, these sketches were failed attempts that were never intended for public viewing or exhibition. He has strongly opposed their inclusion in the current show, arguing that they do not represent his artistic vision or quality standards.
Despite the controversy, the Ernst Fuchs Museum remains undeterred by the criticism. Museum organizers have stated that the exhibition will proceed as planned, defending their decision to include the disputed works. They view these pieces as important historical documents that capture a fascinating early period in the artistic development of both painters, providing valuable insight into their formative years as artists.
The exhibition serves as a tribute to Ernst Fuchs, who was a founding figure of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism and passed away in 2015 at the age of 85. From his early days at the Academy of Fine Arts, Fuchs impressed audiences with his detailed, symbolically rich paintings that combined elements of dreams, mythology, and mysticism. Alongside fellow artists Arik Brauer, Rudolf Hausner, Wolfgang Hutter, and Anton Lehmden, Fuchs helped establish and define an artistic movement that would become internationally recognized.
In 1972, Fuchs transformed the Otto Wagner Villa in Hütteldorf into his life's masterwork, converting the magnificent building into both his residence and artistic workspace. Today, this splendid structure serves as a museum and memorial site dedicated to preserving his artistic legacy and celebrating his contributions to the world of Fantastic Realism.
"My Studio is Deserted" marks the beginning of a new exhibition series in the villa's Adolf Böhm Hall. Future exhibitions in this series are planned to feature works by other notable artists including Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Arik Brauer. According to the curators, the goal of this ongoing series is to revitalize and renew the artistic dialogue among the Fantastic Realists, exploring the connections and influences between these significant Austrian artists.
Whether Arnulf Rainer will eventually reconcile with this tribute to his former studio partner remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Ernst Fuchs continues to generate discussion and debate even ten years after his death, testament to his enduring impact on the art world and his ability to provoke passionate responses to his work and legacy.
