German Surrealist Artist Creates "Cosmic Trip" in New Work

Helmut Wenske, whose fantastic posters have for some time been available in America, has now published his first book, Ahasverus. It is written in German and is accompanied by an English translation by Rebecca Henkel which, although authorized, is not up to par with the overall quality of the book. Nevertheless, the book is very likely to bring its author great acclaim and to broaden a following that is by no means underserved. Ahasverus is a synthesis of prose, verse, and artwork with emphasis on the art reproduction and the overall layout. In this respect it is quite unique and especially impressive, for the text is printed in white on glossy black paper to produce a "negative" sort of effect. The immaculately printed paintings are in startling full color; and the book is arranged to create a cosmic trip that takes the mind beyond reality to surreality. All of these incredible paintings are classified as "surrealistic," and can certainly be said to be among the best works ever produced by a member of this school of art. In profound cosmic insight, fantastic detail, and brilliantly colorful presentation, Helmut Wenske rivals the previously inimitable Salvador Dali. Wenske himself, though, has said that he does not much like Dali "I miss the feeling in his work." But he does appreciate the twisted, grotesque genius of the Dutch Hieronymus Bosch (Jerome van Aken), who lived in the 15th century, and he also likes the superb work of Maurtis C. Escher (born 1898). Some of the paintings and drawings in Ahasverus were done as album designs or book covers. The record covers or concert pro-motion posters were done for such international groups as Orange Peel, Steel Mill, Harvey Mandel, Pell Mell (Marburg), Nektar (A Tab in the Ocean), and Bacillus Selection. Not included are album' covers he has recently done for Ike & Tina Turner, Canned Heat and others. The subject matter of some of the paintings is evidence of the influence of Hermann Hesse and H. P. Lovecraft, among others. Hesse is suggested by the paintings entitled "Siddhartha" and "Mandala", as is Lovecraft by "Bildis des Erich Zann" and "Vision" depicting "The Music of Erich Zann" and "The Haunter of the Dark": two stories by Lovecraft and by Psychogramm H. P. Lovecraft." An Afterword offering some details about the German author/poet/painter mentions that Wenske's texts and paintings originated through meditation and "automatic production." "They are visionary," the critic explains, "because the world in which we are living is so phantastic. The thin ground of rationalization on which we move lies just like varnish on the immense depths of the unconscious and unfathomable." As Wenske himself writes, "Before I begin to paint, I sit for some hours and go inside myself. I let the idea grow. I see for myself the idea like a film moving" When he has finished the painting, he has "done something I didn't know before." All of his paintings are done in water colors or oil. This book of 103 pages, 8" x 6 ", is available in paperback at $8.50 the copy (which is quite expensive, but well worth it). Copies are available from Harry Morris,

500 Wellesley S.E., Albuquerque, N.M., 87106. Information concerning the posters by Wenske which I mentioned is also available from Morris, who is the sole distributor in the U.S.