Arik Brauer

Arik Brauer, born in Vienna in 1929, operated as an all-round artist whose practice spanned painting, architecture, music, and poetry. A key member of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, he rejected the mid-century trend toward abstraction, choosing instead to blend meticulous craftsmanship with surrealist imagery that gained him international recognition over several decades.

Early Life and Education

Born to Lithuanian Jewish parents, Brauer survived World War II by hiding in a garden colony while his father was murdered in a Nazi concentration camp. Post-war, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna under Albert Paris von Gütersloh and Herbert Boeckl. Simultaneously, he trained in singing at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna from 1947 to 1951, eventually graduating in 1954.

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Fantastic Realism and International Career

Brauer emerged as a pivotal figure in the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, a collective that included Ernst Fuchs and Wolfgang Hutter. His works, such as the 1962 painting Vogelfang and the 1964 Der Regenmacher vom Karmel, featured mythical creatures and lush, colorful landscapes. He lived in Paris and Israel, often performing as a singer alongside his wife, Naomi Dahabani, whom he married in 1957.

Music and Austropop Contributions

In the 1970s, Brauer became a prominent voice in the developing genre of Austropop. He wrote and performed songs in Austrian dialect, including the popular tracks Sie ham a Haus baut and Hinter meiner, vorder meiner. His 1971 album, Arik Brauer, earned two Goldene Schallplatte certificates. Beyond music, he applied his creative vision to the stage, designing sets and costumes for a 1975 production of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte at the Paris Opera.

Architectural Projects and Legacy

During the 1990s, Brauer expanded into architecture, applying mosaics and painted tiles to building facades in Austria and Israel. Notable projects include the Arik-Brauer-Haus in Vienna, the Pfarre am Tabor, and the Kastra shopping mall in Haifa, which features a massive mural of Adam and Eve. Brauer taught at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna from 1985 to 1997 and continued to receive state honors, including the Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the State of Vienna, until his death in 2021.