The overall artistic concept

Water, waves, words, literature – movement that disperses. That is the theme of this year’s stage design. It is no coincidence that visually the stage design by artist Heinz Peter Maya is reminiscent of water.Since last year, the official name of the Carinthian provincial capital has been “Klagenfurt am Wörthersee”. It is not far to Lake Wörthersee ...

The significance of the Internet in the stage design

Carinthian artist H.P. Maya has been creating the stage designs for the “Bachmann Prize” for 23 years.

With the Internet project “Bachmann Prize goes Europe”, the Festival of German-Language Literature has crossed the borders of the German language. This crossing of borders, spreading the word, the new significance of the Internet, will all be visible in the stage design.

Last year, the stage design changed completely. Not just the layout at the ORF Theatre was changed, but also the way the readers and the jury are arranged. For presenter Clarissa Stadler, this creates a perfect opportunity for designing her position.

Authors are taking centre stage

For H.P. Maya it was nonetheless important that the authors take centre stage. The familiar round backdrop has given way to individual segments linked by metal elements. A large decorative screen offers additional design options.

Stage design stays in the background

Water, waves, words, literature and movement are the themes of the stage setting at the FGLL 2009.

H.P. Maya, who has designed the stage setting at the Klagenfurt ORF Theatre for the 23rd time, aims to create more than mere decoration. His stage designs never thrust themselves into the foreground. It is important for the Carinthian artist to create a sensitive space for the readers.

One of Carinthia’s most versatile artists

Maya attended the Bundesgewerbeschule für angewandte Kunst [Vocational School of Applied Art] in Graz and the painting master class with Prof. Szyszkowitz. Study visits to Rome and Munich. Travels across Europe, Africa (Sahara) and the US.

The Carinthian artist has successfully presented his art at individual exhibitions in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, and through participation in international exhibitions and art markets.

Heinz Peter Maya, geb. 1944 in Villach

Painting, graphics, stage design, construction art

H.P. Maya is well-known as a painter, graphic artist, creator of construction art, as an art mediator and as a stage designer.

His artistic diversity is reflected in his paintings, graphics, his micro experiments and his works with plants and tree objects. He received international acclaim through his construction art and his stage design for theatre and television.

An internationally recognised artist

Maya coordinates and designs many art projects and exhibitions, including the Biennale INTART, the Alpen project and the Carinthian Art Association [Kunstverein Kärnten]. He has also created many photo documentations and film animations.

His works are part of many art collections, museums (Albertina, Wolfgang Gurlitt Museum, Kärntner Landesgalerie, Museum Bochum, etc.) and private collections.

New spiritual experience for H.P. Maya

In 2009, H.P. Maya discovered glass a new medium for his art.

Maya is known as a painter, graphic artist, creator of construction art, as art mediator and – last but not least – as a stage designer. He has been designing the stage settings for the Bachmann Prize for 23 years. And now this artistic jack-of-all-trades has discovered glass as his new medium.

In collaboration with glass studio “Sankt Mauritius” in Afritz, H.P., as his friends call him, designs new windows for the church in Dellach in Gailtal valley, where art and church/light and glass combine to form a new kind of relationship. Contemporary art meets medieval church architecture. For Maya, the work on the new church windows turned into a journey to his own self, a spiritual experience.

H.P.Maya

“Heinz Peter Maya organises projects, fights against dawdling Carinthian self-adulation, looks to put up for discussion art as an aesthetic draft or counter-draft of society and organises free space for it.”  (Fred Dickermann)

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