Mercedes Vostell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mercedes Vostell
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born | Mercedes Guardado Olivenza 22 July 1933 Ceclavin, Spain |
| Died | 16 October 2023 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Artistic director, writer |
| Language | spanish, german |
| Nationality | spanish |
| Years active | 1982–2023 |
| Spouse | Wolf Vostell |
| Children | David Vostell, Rafael Vostell |
Mercedes Vostell (born Mercedes Guardado Olivenza) was a Spanish writer. She was born on July 22, 1933, and passed away on October 16, 2023. Since 1998, she was the artistic director of the Museo Vostell Malpartida (MVM). Mercedes Vostell was married to Wolf Vostell, a famous German artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and Fluxus and happening art.
Her Life Story
Mercedes Vostell was born in a town called Ceclavín. When she was four years old, her family moved to Cáceres. She finished her high school studies and then went on to study teaching, finishing in 1956.
Her first job as a primary school teacher was in Guadalupe, Cáceres in 1957. In April 1958, she met Wolf Vostell there. They got married in January 1959 in Cáceres. After their wedding, she moved to Cologne, Germany. She lived there from 1959 to 1970. Then, they moved to West Berlin. From 1960, Mercedes also took part in Wolf Vostell's "Happenings." These were special art events where different things happened, often involving the audience.
In 1976, Mercedes Vostell and her husband started the Museum Vostell Malpartida. It was set up in an old wool washing place in a natural area called Los Barruecos, near Malpartida de Cáceres. The local town hall helped them create it. Since 1994, the museum has been managed by the Junta de Extremadura.
In 1982, Mercedes published her first book, El enigma Vostell. In this book, she asked friends and people who knew Wolf Vostell to write about him. It was a special tribute for his 50th birthday. She also helped direct an opera called The garden of delights (El jardín de las delicias). This opera was composed by Wolf Vostell in 1982. Mercedes was the artistic director, and José Iges was the musical director. It was performed at the Museo Vostell Malpartida in 2012.
Books She Wrote
Mercedes Vostell wrote several books:
- Mercedes Guardado: El enigma Vostell. Extreme Siberian Edition, Malpartida de Cáceres, 1982, ISBN: 84-86147-01-X.
- Mercedes Guardado: Mi vida con Vostell. Un artista de vanguardia. Editorial La Fábrica, Madrid, 2011, ISBN: 978-84-92841-91-2. This book is about her life with Wolf Vostell.
- Mercedes Vostell: Vostell - ein Leben lang. Siebenhaar Verlag, Berlin, 2012, ISBN: 978-3-936962-88-8.
- Mercedes Guardado: La historia del Museo Vostell Malpartida. LB Publication, Editor David Vostell, The Wolf Vostell Estate, 2018, ISBN: 978-84-949836-2-7. This book tells the story of the museum she helped create.
Movies She Was In
Mercedes Vostell also appeared in a few movies:
- In 1979, she had a small part in the movie Ticket of No Return by Ulrike Ottinger.
- In 2000, she played herself in a movie called Spotkanie: Fluxus.
- In 2015, she played herself again in Malpartida Fluxus Village.
Awards She Received
Mercedes Vostell received several awards for her work:
- 2000: She became an Honorary Member of La Asociación de Mujeres Carolina Coronado (The Carolina Coronado Women's Association) in Malpartida de Cáceres.
- 2009: She won the Premios Avuelapluma (Avuelapluma Awards) for promoting culture with the Museo Vostell Malpartida.
- 2011: She received the Cigüeña de Plata (Silver Stork) award from the Malpartida de Cáceres City Council.
See also
In Spanish: Mercedes Guardado para niños
