helnwein archive

In Victorian England, a haunted writer (Lewis Carroll) lives in an isolated castle, where he is tormented by sleepless nights and visions of a girl named Alice. He finds himself becoming a symptom of his own invention and is terrified of what waits for him each night. The promo features Manson's former wife, burlesque star Dita Von Teese and the artist (figure in the medical mask) Gottfried Helnwein, whose work has inspired other musicians like Rammstein.

- Gottfried Helnwein, of Austrian origin. Known for his series of photographs based on his own childhood and the horrors of World War II, has collaborated with artists such as Marilyn Manson, Rammstein. Manson in his own words describes Helnwein: Gottfried Helnwein is my mentor. His fight for expression and stance against oppression are reasons why I chose to collaborate with me. An artist that does not provoke will be invisible. Art does not cause strong emotions makes no sense. Helnwein has internalized all that.

Central to both Little Susie and Childhood are the artworks which are featured in the accompanying booklet to the HIStory album; Gottfried Helnwein's 1972 photograph titled "Lichtkind" (Child of Light) which is titled Little Susie and an undated and untitled drawing by Jackson, which includes the handwritten lyrics of Childhood (Michael Jackson. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG pg. 37 and 34).
Helnwein's photograph recreates a crime scene, in which an unidentified child's body lays on a decaying wooden floor, a lone penny positioned beside her.

Helnwein's realization of the final scene takes the breath away: a view of dozens of bloodied children's bodies, some of them hanging, some of them turning over and over in mid-air, as a vocal ensemble sings their words while kneeling on stage.
This vision connects eerily with an exhibition in the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Centre plaza, adapted from one the Austrian designer mounted in Cologne in 1988, marking the 50th anniversary of the Nazis' anti-Jewish Kristallnacht. It shows two rows of innocent, haunted-looking child's faces, one row with eyes open; the other with eyes closed, lined up as if in a concentration camp (Selektion is the exhibit's title).

Gottfried Helnwein is one of the most accomplished realist of the day and it is a blessing that he's found his way to a city like San Francisco that for good or bad tries to have very little to do with realistic imagery. From May 7th to June 29th the San Francisco Modernism gallery will be exhibiting Helnwein one man show “The Murmur of Innocence in honor of Francisco de Goya. The theme of the exhibition, the suffering of children in war time, will be familiar to fan's of Helnwein's work and this exhibition will likely be an articulation of the machines of war,

"Helnwein - The Silence Of Innocence" (Claudia Schmid, Germany 2008, 116 min), has been selected for the 24th international Munich Documentary Filmfestival.
Uncompromising, shocking images that bore deep into our collective subconscious and confront our greatest fears – the unihibited creative talent of artist Gottfried Helnwein.

I am unable to think of the words needed to describe this artist. Even if I could, I doubt I'm worthy of speaking them. When I see this guys art, his landscapes, his portrayal of the child, self portraits, I see something completely rational, against a world I still consider primitive and ignorant. Something that I know others would call, insane. That is just a small part of the of greater sum this artist makes me feel. Click the link to check out his web page.

"Helnwein is the next generation's final ally, a skilled provocateur forcing us to confront the legacy we have bequeathed upon our children. Helnwein is our chronicler, our conscience, the antidote to our failing memories. He refuses to let us forget."

Colin Berry
Artweek, California, 2004

My first performance was with Sandra (6 years old). She was considered a problem child by her parents, and I think her mother had a hard time coping with Sandra's wicked sense of humor. For example, one time, as protest for the punishment of being locked in her room, she cut up all her mothers clothes into tiny little pieces, arranged them in a neat pile in the middle of the room and called her mum with the innocent voice of an angel. Another time she set fire to her parent's apartment. She was one tough and mean little lady, but I liked her instantly. She had the pride of a Latino street gang leader. When she looked at you, her piercing little eyes had a very clear message: "don't mess with me".

VIENNA.- The Albertina presents From 1970: Austrian Art in the Albertina, on view through January 11, 2009. Austrian art takes center stage in the second in a series of exhibitions showcasing highlights from the Albertina's collection of 20,000 international contemporary artworks. The series kicked off last year with Art After 1970. The exhibition From 1970: Austrian Art in the Albertina includes around 220 works by 33 artists.