Heinz Mack (b. 1931), whose sculpture explores the effects of light, reflection and movement, studied painting at the Dusseldorf Academy of Arts from 1950-1953 before taking a degree in philosophy at Cologne University in 1956. He then began work as an artist and art teacher, and from 1956, created a series of monochrome paintings of parallel lines in white or black. In 1958, he created his first light reliefs and light cubes in polished aluminum, exploring the effects of luminosity, reflection, and movement. With Otto Piene, Mack also founded the influential Group Zero in 1957. Mack's large-scale works include a light-and-movement room for the 1970 German Industrial Exhibition in Berlin as well as a monumental project to place light columns in the Sahara desert. The artist lives and works in Dusseldorf.
1931
Heinz Mack is born in Lollar, Hessen, Germany.
1949
Moves to Düsseldorf.
1950-53
Attends the National Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf.
1955
Travels to the Saharan desert for the first time.
1956
Studies philosophy at the University of Cologne.
1956-58
Produces monochrome paintings.
1957
Founds the artist group ZERO along with Otto Piene and Günther Uecker. His first solo exhibition is held at the Galerie Schmela, Düsseldorf.
1958
Participates in the Documenta in Kassel. Executes his first light reliefs. Meets Klein and Tinguely. Begins producing Dynamic Structures.
1959
Begins making motorized reliefs.
1962-68
Travels in Algeria.
1964-66
Lives and works in New York.
1965
Wins first prize for sculpture at the Paris Biennale.
1966
The last ZERO group exhibition is held in Bonn, Germany before the group dissolves.
1970
Teaches in Osaka, Japan. Becomes a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, Berlin. Represents West Germany at the Venice Biennale.
1970s
Begins making screen-prints featuring his major motifs.
1976
Travels to the Arctic.
1978
Lectures at the University of Toronto.
1983
Participates in Otto Piene’s Sky Art conference in Munich.
1991
Begins making his Chromatischen Konstellationen: large-format, brightly colored paintings.
1992
Resigns from the Academy of Fine Arts, Berlin.
2006-07
A major exhibition of his work is held at the Pergamonmuseum, Berlin.
2008
The ZERO Foundation is established by the city of Düsseldorf.
2010
Begins work on his autobiography.
2011
Exhibitions in honor of his 80th birthday are held in Germany and internationally.
2014
Touring exhibition of the work of the Group ZERO artists to open at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York