A universal thinker

Buchcover Organismus und Technik - Hugo Kükelhaus

Life and Oeuvre

1900

Born in Essen on the 24th of March

father: Hugo Kükelhaus senior, writer, middleclass economic politician, co-organiser of the professional self-governing body of the German Craftsmanship; mother: Marie Kükelhaus, born in Hovestadt; two sisters, brothers Heinz and Herman: both writers

1919

Abitur (A-Levels)

following apprentice years and its years of travel as carpenter and furniture maker

1925

Master exam

studies in Heidelberg, Münster, Königsberg: focus on sociology, philosophy, mathematics (logic), physiology

1930

Marriage to Emilie

née Scharpenack (1898 – 1986) from Kettwig/Ruhr;
1934 son Friedrich, 1937 daughter Barbara

seit 1930

Interior decorator in Bochum (Fa. Dickerhoff)

beginning free decorating work and journalistic writing activities

1931

Following his father’s death assumed control of the journal Das Tischlergewerk [The Carpenter Trade]

with interruptions, editor till 1943. 1948 till 1956 freelance contributor to the journal

1934

Moved to Caputh near Potsdam

seit 1934

Employee of the Alfred Metzner Verlag [publishing house] in Berlin

as editor of the series Schriften zur deutschen Handwerkskunst [Writings on the German Arts and Crafts] (1935 ff), Die deutsche Warenkunde [German Journal of product trade] (1939 ff) and as author of Urzahl und Gebärde [Primordial Number and Gesture] (1934), Werde Tischler [Become a carpenter] (1936). Lectures, seminars, organization of exhibitions; collaboration in the Deutsches Handwerks-Institut [German Institute of Crafts] and the Kunstdienst (Berlin)

1939

Development of the Greiflinge Allbedeut

a multifunctional assortment of wooden toys for babies and toddlers

1939 - 1945

Soldier

partly exempted for technical schooling and rehabilitation of disabled wounded. Member of the resistance with Fritz-Dietlof Graf von der Schulenburg.

1940 - 1941

Curator of arts and crafts in Schlesien [Silesia] through the count’s mediation

by von der Schulenburg Landeshandwerkspfleger [Curator of arts and crafts] of Schlesien [Silesia] in Breslau

1948

Move to western germany

1949 - 1954

An apartment in Wamel-on-Möhnesee

House and graphics studio Kätelhön

1950 - 1953

Teaching at the Werkschule Münster

(today Fachhochschule für Design [college of higher education for design]), Bildgeschichten vom Träumling [pictured stories of the dreamer] (1951/1952), Das Wort des Johannes [The Word of St. John] (1953)

 

1954

Move to Soest, Bergenthalpark

seit 1954

Exclusively occupied as a freelance writer (anthropology, cultural criticism, architecture, human physiology and therapy, pedagogy) and visual artist (paintings, sculptures, glass etc.)

lecturer for seminars. Contributed as a staff member to interior designs for numerous churches and public buildings.

1957

Artistic design of Evangelical Erlöserkirche in Essen

including stained glass windows, coloring, interior decor

seit ca. 1960

Intensified theoretical and experimental research into human sensory perception

created objects for experimental exploration


1966

In cooperation with Fritz Kuhn he designed the steel wall in the foyer of the municipal theatre in Dortmund

1967

Presented about twelve objects for experimental exploration at the World Exhibition in Montreal

and at the 2nd International School Exhibition in Dortmund

1973

Coined the term “inhumane architecture”

consultant and artistic contributor in terms of organilogical architecture to build schools, kindergartens and industrial companies; e.g. from 1975 in several plants of the Schweisfurth company (HERTA KG), 1980/1981 at the Rodtegg/Lucerne school home for physically handicapped children (architect: Otto Schärli), 1980 in the redesign of the schoolyard of the Archigymnasium in Soest

1975

First presentation of the “field of experience for the development of human senses”

at the international crafts exhibition 'EXEMPLA' in Munich

since then travelling exhibition in numerous German and Swiss cities

1977

Founded the working group for an organological lifestyle Organismus und Technik e.V.

in Germany and Switzerland

1978

Honoured with the Konrad-von-Soest Prize by the regional authority Westphalia-Lippe

1982

Book project "Development of the Senses" together with Rudolf zur Lippe

1982 - 1984

Planning and construction of the 'Graubner House' in Herrischried (southern Black Forest)

with Wolfram Graubner

1984

Death on October 5

in Herrischried, grave in Mustin near Ratzeburg, his daughter's place of residence.