In 1993 the artist Oliver Croy was looking through the contents of a junk shop. He found 387 miniature hand-made buildings, each in its own trash bag. The houses were meticulously crafted by an unknown Viennese insurance clerk, Peter Fritz. They were built from inexpensive materials like cardboard, foil, scraps of wallpaper and matchboxes. They do not appear to be specific real houses but each is a kind of house or store or bank building or other structure that might have been built in Fritz's Austria. Each is different.
Croy and his friend Oliver Elser, an architectural critic, preserved the buildings and presented them in the 2013 Biennale in Venice. Despite thousands of artistic works created by professional artists, these miniature houses made by an idiosyncratic clerk for his own enjoyment were my favorite pieces in the Biennale.
Mindblowing!
Incredible. I could see maybe one of two pieces, but 387? The attention to detail - truly the man is an artist!
ReplyDeleteI, too, would have found them to be my favorites. What wonderful variety. The idiosyncratic clerk was a very talented man.
ReplyDeleteI hope they will find permanent exhibition space. It's uplifting to see such creativity and attention to detail.
ReplyDeletei can see why these would be your favorites. i suspect they would have been mine, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual hobby and artist!
ReplyDeleteThe insurance clerk should have been an architect.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible undertaking Jack..looks like the results of their endeavours were well worth it, would have been fascinating to see.
ReplyDeleteI can see why these would be a favorite. They are so unique. I looks like each one is distinct from the other.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story, and you are absolutely right about these pieces!
ReplyDeleteThese are incredible and they would be a favorite of mine as well!! Mind blowing they are!! Thanks so much, Jack, for sharing these! I'm so glad they have been preserved!!
ReplyDeleteThat's totally incredible and fascinating!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely cute, Jack!
ReplyDeleteThese are great!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty nice! And I wonder how such precious work got almost lost in a junk shop. The guy who produced it must have enjoyed all the details of the work!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Cezar
What a fortunate series of events. To think that these might have been tossed, neglected or lost forever is sad. I can see why these were your favorite in the Biennale.
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Wow, great idea, otherwise they would be lost.
ReplyDeleteAmazing model buildings. I see not all are at the same scale, but the variety is surprising. So glad to know they were saved. More detail photos? Bet your fans would enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteFabulous. I can't wait to show this to my husband. He has spent hours making model buildings to go along side his model railway (yes, you read right). Great craftsmanship! Thanks, Jack.
ReplyDeleteA splendid idea!
ReplyDeleteAmazing minature structures Jack and more amazing to think they were created out of everyday household materials.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was probably the least pretentious display at the Biennale. Wonderful, Jack!
ReplyDeleteThanks for liking these so much, Jack, because otherwise I would not have seen them and been able to like them myself. You're a great guy to share such neat subjects with us, all of the time.
ReplyDeleteJack, is it Venice Art Biennale instead of Vienna, please? I'm trying to get additional looks at the miniatures and can only find Venice. Curious over here. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFor those who want to see more of Peter Fritz's houses at the 2013 Venice Biennale, just search "Peter Fritz Biennale."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jack!
ReplyDeleteMiniatures are so compelling and this grand array of them makes it a special treat. What an interesting little world Fritz created for himself. I'm glad that Croy found and preserved them and glad you shared them with us.
ReplyDeleteNice collection.
ReplyDeleteThat gentleman must have had a lot of patience and talent.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to the Biennial. The situation makes me think of what became of a bored patent clerk from Bern.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kind of thrift shop I'd like to find. Imagine someone throwing these little jewels away. The Venice biennale is quite the event. I read somewhere that they are considering making it an annual event. Any word on that?
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I'm glad these gems are being preserved.
ReplyDelete