Július Koller

Július Koller (1939–2007) was a Slovak artist renowned for his influential role in the neo-avant-garde and post-avant-garde movements. Educated as an academic painter, Koller developed a critical perspective on modernist painting early in his career. Drawing inspiration from movements such as Fluxus and Nouveau Réalisme, he employed conceptual techniques infused with dry wit to challenge both the Western art world and the cultural landscape of Communist Czechoslovakia. In the mid-1960s, Koller introduced the concept of the “Antihappening,” a term he used to distinguish his work from scripted artistic actions. He disseminated this idea through various mediums, including telegrams, postcards, and manifestos.

For a comprehensive exploration of his oeuvre, the Július Koller Society offers extensive archives and resources dedicated to his life and work.

Koller’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of art to question and redefine societal norms, encouraging viewers to engage critically with the world around them.