HA Schult

HA Schult

German conceptual artist
Date of Birth: 24.06.1939
Country: Germany

Content:
  1. Biography of Hans Schultz
  2. Early Career and Struggles
  3. International Recognition
  4. The Trash Hotel
  5. Other Projects
  6. Personal Life

Biography of Hans Schultz

German conceptual artist Hans Schultz was born in Germany to renowned German film director Kolin Schultz. Growing up, he was exposed to art at an early age and developed a passion for it. He studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he was mentored by famous German artists Georg Meistermann, Joseph Fassbender, Karl Otto Gӧtz, and Joseph Beuys. During this period, Schultz was greatly influenced by the works of artists Yves Klein, Georges Mathieu, and Jackson Pollock.

Early Career and Struggles

From 1962 to 1967, Schultz worked as an art director for a bank and several industrial companies. In 1967, he moved to Munich, where he faced challenges in establishing himself as an artist. He had to find alternative ways to make a living, including working as a taxi driver.

International Recognition

In the late 1970s, Schultz relocated to Cologne and spent a significant amount of time living and working in New York City from 1981 to 1986. Throughout his career, Schultz gravitated towards unconventional projects and became interested in the ideas of the emerging environmental movement.

The Trash Hotel

One of Schultz's most famous and controversial projects is the Trash Hotel in Madrid. The hotel was constructed using tons of waste collected from Mediterranean beaches as part of the "Save the Beach" project. The structure's framework is made of wood, while the exterior walls are composed of various types of discarded items such as broken mannequins, shattered dishes, discarded luggage, old appliances, and countless plastic bottles. Approximately 12 tons of waste were used in the construction of this unique hotel. Through this project, Schultz aimed to draw public attention to the pressing environmental issues and the concept of "spiritual waste" that plagues society.

Other Projects

Schultz's creativity with waste extends beyond the Trash Hotel. He has also worked with old car parts and curated exhibitions centered around the theme of waste. His other notable projects include "Trees for Peace," which featured trees adorned with peace wishes near a coal mine in Essen, and "Love Letters Building," a display of thousands of love letters decorating a building opposite a post office in Berlin. Another well-known work is "Trash People," which consists of one thousand life-sized statues made out of waste materials.

Personal Life

Schultz considers himself a craftsman rather than a "great artist." He has been married twice, first to Elke Koska for 25 years, who served as his muse and manager. In 2010, he married Anna Zlotovskaya.

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