The "Spiral Tree" is designed by the Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000). However, before delving into the messages being conveyed through the "spiral tree", it is important to learn a bit about Hundertwasser, and his views on design and architecture, as this will help us understand why the postage stamp is designed in such a manner, as well as better analyze the piece.
He is well known for his unique architectural designs as well as paintings. Hundertwasser recognized that the modern architectural designs were often disconnected from nature, and were not 'natural' designs per se; as he often expressed his disdain of using "straight-edged rulers" when designing and drawing. Rather Hundertwasser chose to stay true and close to nature, through his designs and color schemes.
If you look at the postage stamp above, you will notice the hand-free style and circular motion that Hundertwasser uses in designing this stamp, which he titles the "Spiral Tree". The spiral tree design, while calls the viewers attention to nature, with its design and blue/green color scheme, Hundertwasser is also inviting the observer to ponder further into the meaning of the spiral tree, and its relation to humanity. He often believed that man has a 'duty to trees', as he acknowledged
that "man is [divorced] from nature". In regards to the "Spiral Tree" stamp, Hundertwasser not only wanted to pay homage to nature through a painting of a tree; but through the circular and "irregular spirals", he is drawing attention to the "symbol of life and death" and its relation to nature. This duty to nature is also expressed through his architectural designs as seen in some of his architectural work.
While one can observe the thoughts and views of Hundertwasser through his designs, he also sought to express them in the "Mouldiness Manifesto against Rationalism in Architecture". In the manifesto, Hundertwasser discusses several ideas which revolve around the concept of how current architectural designs are unnatural, and are not a natural manifestation for humans to live in. He goes into further detail marveling about how the architect, the builder and the tenant do not feel any sense of attachment to the building, as each is working in their own realm without interacting with the other. He also finds that such squared, and straight line structures of buildings, are oppressive to the human soul, and do not allow one to build or design their own living space, that is closer to nature; in an attempt to allow one to reconcile with nature once again. What are your thoughts, do you agree with Hundertwasser's view on design vis a vis nature? I'll end this piece with a quote of Hundertwasser summing his frustration with functional architecture:
"Today we live in a chaos of straight lines, in a jungle of straight lines. If you do not believe this, take the trouble to count the straight lines which surround you. Then you will understand, for you will never finish counting."
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Sources:
"Friedensreich Hundertwasser." 2000. Building Design: 2.
Levy, A. 1976. "Preaching 'Duty to Trees' and other Doctrines." Artnews (u.s.a.) 75 (8): 84-87.
http://www.artnet.com/artists/friedensreich-hundertwasser/
http://www.hundertwasser.at/english/texts/philo_verschimmelungsmanifest.php
http://www.hundertwasser-village.com/en/hundertwasser/biography/
http://www.hundertwasser.at/english/hundertwasser/biography.php
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/apr/14/guardianobituaries2
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