Enduring Artwork Unveiled: Pieces Crafted to Resist Decay and Time
Take a Peek at Olaf Richter's Fascinating Tome
Alrighty, buckle up, y'all! We're diving into a captivating read that's not your typical literary fare. This time, we're exploring a compelling book penned by Olaf Richter, a Krefeld archivist, about the remarkable life and work of Fritz Huhnen, a multi-talented visual artist and writer from the same city.
For folks born post-1970, Fritz Huhnen might not exactly ring a bell, but this guy was a titan in Krefeld's cultural scene for decades, and if you catch my drift, he's far too fascinating to be forgotten. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece, offering an intriguing blend of biography, theater history, and unvarnished snapshots of life in Krefeld from 1890 to 1980.
Huhnen's impressive resume includes serving as a stage designer for Krefeld's theater from 1923 to 1967. Olaf Richter's book, entitled "Art that does not pass away..." is a stunning, must-read chronicle of Huhnen's life that's both profound and fluid. The excellent illustrations bring Fritz Huhnen to life in all his kaleidoscopic facets – a painter who voraciously absorbed Expressionism, Surrealism, and more, translating these movements into exceptional works of art.
Huhnen's comic strips for the "General-Anzeiger" and later the "Westdeutsche Zeitung" provided a humorous portrayal of everyday life in Krefeld. Richter skillfully dépeints how, during the NS era, Huhnen managed to minimize mistakes as a publicist, and later, offered a frank self-assessment of that period. Moreover, Richter masterfully paints a vivid portrait of Huhnen as a true artistic roustabout who reveled in life's pleasures.
A pity we never got the opportunity to cross paths with this erudite, entertaining, and tall gentleman who spent his twilight years confined to the top floor of Krefeld's first high-rise on Philadelphiastraße, often waging a battle against poor health. But fear not, dear reader – Richter manages to evoke Huhnen's indomitable spirit in this book.
Olaf Richter: "Art that does not pass away..." - The Life and Times of Fritz Huhnen (1895-1981) - 204 heavily illustrated pages. Published by Verlag Stefan Kronsbein, Krefeld 2024. Retails for 30 Euros.
(O.R.)
If you're a fan of intriguing reads that delve into amalgamations of lifestyle, home-and-garden, and entertainment, Olaf Richter's book should be next on your reading list. After all, it's not just a biography; it's a captivating exploration of the life and work of Fritz Huhnen, a multi-talented visual artist and writer from Krefeld. This engaging tome also includes sections about books, offering valuable insights into Huhnen's career as a comic strip creator and his impact on Krefeld's cultural scene.
