“Zungenbärte” by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
In 1982, the rather calm front court of the Museum of Modern Art Rupertinum was counteracted with the colorful and extravagant “beards” on the facade of the building.
The walls of the inner courtyard of the Rupertinum on Max-Reinhardt-Platz are decorated with numerous gold and silver ceramic tiles. These so-called Zungenbärte below the windows are complemented by irregular, near-circular elements. A Zugenbart looks rather like an apron or carpet, installed in an irregular arrangement beneath the windows. However, the color combinations are systematic: The silver Zungenbärte have blue edges and green circles reminiscent of knobs, while the golden ones are edged in green accompanied by blue circles.
In 1981, the building was transformed from a seminary into a museum of modern art and the director at that time, Otto Breicha, in consultation with architect Gerhard Garstenauer, decided to incorporate modern art into the façade. Friedensreich Hundertwasser came up with the idea of the Zungenbärte, subsequently brought to fruition by Peter Mairinger.
