Brauer, Arik Erich#
b. Vienna, Jan. 4, 1929, painter, graphic artist, stage designer, singer and poet. 1945-1951 studied at the Academy of Fine Arts under R. C. Andersen and A. P. Guetersloh. On his long journeys (esp. Orient) and his stays abroad (Paris, Israel), B. mainly made a living as a singer. Painting did not become his main occupation until 1960. Strengthened common artistic interests with his friends of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, with whom he had been friends while still at the Academy, in the "Art-Club" and the "Hundsgruppe". Became one of the "fathers of Austropop" in 1967 with his 1st record of songs in Viennese dialect. His work is characterised by fine detail ("coats of paint") and the incorporation of current political events into dream-like paintings with a fairy-tale atmosphere; the influence of P. Bruegel the Elder (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna) and of oriental miniature painting is also evident. From 1985 to 1997 teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.
Works#
Die Verfolgung des juedischen Volks, series, from 1973 on; Menschenrechte, 1975 (series of colour etchings); stage sets and costumes for the "Magic Flute" by W. A. Mozart at the Paris Opera, 1975; Die Ritter von der Reuthenstopf, 1986 (children´s book); Sesam oeffne dich, 1989 (television play with his daughter Timna B.); A. B. House in Vienna's 6th district, Gumpendorfer Strasse, finished 1993.Literature#
T. Flemming (ed.), A. B., Werkverzeichnis, 1984.