Born in 1935 in Freiburg (Breisgau), he lives in Baden-Baden.
Before becoming an artist Hüppi trained for becoming a silversmith . Today Hüppi is well known as a painter, graphic designer and for making objects. From 1974-1999 he was professor – specialized in painting – at the Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf. As professor emeritus Hüppi continued to support young artists and together with Erwin Gebert he founded a museum in Etaneno (Namibia) as a forum for contemporary art.
http://etaneno.de
Tower of Lovers
1997
H.: 3.60 m, Ø 6.00 m
bricks, bronze, iron, marble
As a site of withdrawal (if we take the lean-to ladder into the interior of the tower) this little construction by Alfonso Hüppi fits into the series of sculptures that thematise coupling and courting behaviours and the tension between the sexes. At the same time, though, the tower, with its dark ravens, is also a monument of mourning. It is reminiscent of the motto that is written in large letters at the entrance to the Giardino: »Hic terminus haeret« – »Here stands the terminus«, although Daniel Spoerri prefers to translate the term »terminus« with »boundary« or »transition«.
The Pisser
1977 /2000
150 x 25 x 300cm
bronze
What may look light and like a piece of wood is in fact bronze and had to be very carefully attached to the façade of the »Villa«. Now the stream of water emitted by the bronze woman startles, entertains and refreshes the visitors. It reminded one female visitor that she herself had once attempted to attend to the call of nature in a similar position against the side of a boat. But in that rather tense situation, she had failed to perform. In Freiburg in 1977 the sculpture served as an »artist shower« during a sculptors’ symposium, but later faded into obscurity. Daniel Spoerri retrieved it from storage and claimed it for the Giardino. His friend Hüppi agreed.
The Pisser
1977 /2000
150 x 25 x 300cm
bronze
What may look light and like a piece of wood is in fact bronze and had to be very carefully attached to the façade of the »Villa«. Now the stream of water emitted by the bronze woman startles, entertains and refreshes the visitors. It reminded one female visitor that she herself had once attempted to attend to the call of nature in a similar position against the side of a boat. But in that rather tense situation, she had failed to perform. In Freiburg in 1977 the sculpture served as an »artist shower« during a sculptors’ symposium, but later faded into obscurity. Daniel Spoerri retrieved it from storage and claimed it for the Giardino. His friend Hüppi agreed.
