The artistic translation of the TSIS 2010 Poster was entrusted to Horst Kordes.

The story behind this painting

Our research group was deeply moved when the artist, during numerous visits in our research laboratory, appeared to be electrified from our explanations and presentations of the morphologic structures and complex interactions of immune cells that are seen in humans within the context of major injury, inflammation and sepsis.

Following his committed discussions with us, Horst Kordes returned to his studio and translated the biologic information as well as his impressions derived from the clinical scenario – massive disablements of patients that have sustained severe injury – onto canvas.

As we were told from his entourage, the artist was tortured with painful emotions and strong sympathies for the victims and their families that have been faced with the loss of their previous happiness in life. His experience with the scientific and clinical scenario of critical illness inspired him in the end to create an impressive painting, expressing devastation of molecular and morphological integrity.

Thus, the painting was entitled ‘Destruction of Opus No. 1’.

Bibliography of Horst Kordes

Horst Kordes, a native of Austria, was born in 1958. He grew up in a family, all members of which were active in the fine arts. At the age of 17 he met the famous painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who invited him to join his working group. This encounter marked the beginning of a triannual period of inspiring and productive cooperation for the young artist.

Thereafter, thriving to find his specific artistic destination, he relocated to Duesseldorf, where he was given a first buoyant platform for his work and began to generate first crucial achievements of his career. Starting 1978, educational journeys to France, Italy and Germany let him become familiar with the local art scenes.

1979 he opened up in Krefeld, in the western part of Germany, an art gallery which he named ‘Traumland’ (Dreamland). Getting tired of the unavoidable combination of commerce and art which was resulting in a certain paralysis of his creativity, he moved on with his family to the ‘Lower Rhein’ region where they moved into an old windmill complex, and indeed he could retrieve his former creativity.

Horst Kordes’ positive character, his attraction towards other cultures and peoples, the multitude of hence resulting travels, his addiction towards archaeology – altogether was shedding light on his complex creation processes, resulting in brilliant works.

The paintings of Horst Kordes are reflecting energy which is predominantly expressed in blue – the artist’s favourite colour. Blue expresses the clear, infinite vastness of the sky, the everlastingness and eternity of cosmos and freedom – indicating the freedom of the individual, of the human being per se, but most of all the freedom of fantasy and the freedom of Horst Kordes’ own dreams.