The German/Austrian/Mexican painter, sculptor and art theorist Wolfgang Paalen was born on July 22, 1905. He came from a wealthy family, his father an inventor (the vacuum cleaner and the thermos, etc.) his mother an actress. His father became a well known collector of Old Master paintings, acquiring several very important works. The association with artists exposed Wolfgang to new, inspiring acquaintances.
The family moved around, from Vienna to Stryia, then Berlin, and finally in 1919, to Rome. Here Paalen received his first art training and also became an expert in Greek and Roman archaeology. He studied in Paris, settling there. He became friends with Andre Breton and also became a Surrealist painter, using his hallucinations as inspirations for his work. He is credited with developing the art of "fumage" and exhibited the first of this technique in London, in 1936. He worked with several well known Surrealist artists and philosophers during the years 1936-1939, before he relocated to Mexico with his new friends Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Paalen eventually had a fall out with Kahlo and Rivera related to their political beliefs. He continued to hone his theories on his art and exhibited in New York. He also founded an art journal "DYN" and came out with his "Farewell to Surrealism". As he moved away from Surrealism, Paalen began to develop a new approach to abstract art...that of Abstract Expressionism.
Certainly Paalen's career can be considered art philosopher just as much as artist. He helped shape and develop Surrealism in the late 30's, then Abstract Expressionism in the 40's, but more importantly delineated and justified the creations. Sadly during one of his depressions, Paalen took his own life at age 54. He will be remembered for his great contributions to the developing Contemporary art world.
**Fumage: creation of images using the soot produced by a candle onto canvas to dictate and guide the painting.
Les Etrangers
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