Waltraut Cooper

Waltraut Cooper
Born (1937-12-21) 21 December 1937
Linz Austria
Nationality Austrian
Known for Light sculpture
Movement Minimalism Light art

Waltraut Cooper (born, 1937, Linz, Austria), is an Austrian artist, generally described as Minimalist, primarily concerned with light and space.

Waltraut Cooper studied Mathematics and Art in Vienna, Paris, Lisbon and Frankfurt. Her work is site-specific and depends often on motion for its effect. Cooper's work explores light, mathematics and color, through the medium of colored fluorescent lights, neon and glass. She is an internationally active artist responsible for several large light art installations.

To coincide with the entry of the 10 new member states in the European Union on 1 May 2004, she realised the Project Rainbow for Europe (highlighting the Coliseum in Rome, the Royal Palace in Warsaw, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna, the European parliament in Brussel, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow). The project symbolises the utopian political vision of the artist of a united, peaceful continent which is not confined by the EU frontiers but extends to the geographical limits of Europe and thus opens up the vista of a possible future in peace and prosperity.

She has participated three times in the Biennale in Venice and in Festivals and exhibitions in important galleries and museums in Vienna, Frankfurt, Bonn, Berlin, Copenhagen, Rome, Paris, Montreal, Boston and New York.

Waltraut Cooper is considered a Pioneer of Digital Art: the "Klangmikado" (1986) for the Ars Electronica in Linz uses computer algorithms to create improvisation on existing music materials. She has received numerous award for her artistic achievements. On 9 December 2009 Waltraut Cooper was awarded the Golden Laurel of the Künstlerhaus Vienna for her artistic achievements.

She currently resides in Vienna, Austria.

See also

Exhibitions (Selection)


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