KonradBalder Schäuffelen

Biography

Konrad Balder Schäuffelen (1929, Ulm, Germany – October 19, 2012) was a German psychiatrist, writer, and artist noted for his innovative contributions to visual and concrete poetry. After studying medicine and philosophy at several prestigious institutions, including universities in Tübingen, Munich, Paris, and Frankfurt am Main, Schäuffelen completed his doctoral dissertation in 1959. From 1966 to 1970, he worked at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich, later transitioning into private practice as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist. In the 1950s, Schäuffelen began experimenting with visual poetry, exploring the material aspects of language and text. By the 1960s, his practice expanded to include book-art objects, language-based installations, and audiovisual presentations. His inventive approach to visual language earned him significant recognition, notably receiving the Schwabinger Kunstpreis in 1979. Schäuffelen’s work was widely exhibited, including prominent international shows such as documenta 6 in Kassel (1977) and multiple editions of the Venice Biennale (1969, 1986). He also authored significant literary and artistic publications, including En gros & en detail (1965), raus mit der sprache (1969), and sprache ist fuer wahr ein koerper (1976). Beyond his artistic and medical career, Schäuffelen contributed translations of Czech literature into German, collaborating with Tamara Kafková on texts by noted authors such as Milan Nápravník and Věra Linhartová. Today, Schäuffelen’s legacy continues to influence the fields of visual poetry, conceptual art, and the interdisciplinary exploration of language and psychology.

Artworks (1)