Artist Mack (95): Only in the mirror am I still young - Heinz Mack turns 95, celebrating a lifetime of revolutionary art and resilience

Heinz Mack, one of the last living figures of the ZERO art movement, will celebrate his 95th birthday on March 8. Despite his age, he remains active in his studio and keeps a playful outlook on life. His work and legacy continue to shape modern art decades after the movement began.

In the late 1950s, Mack co-founded ZERO in Düsseldorf alongside Otto Piene and Günther Uecker. The group sought a radical break from tradition, pushing art into new experimental directions. Within a decade, their ideas spread across Europe, influencing avant-garde artists in Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

ZERO's impact grew through exhibitions like the Nouvelles Tendances shows, which featured artists such as Yves Klein and Jean Tinguely. The movement gained further recognition with the 1963 Grand Prize at the IV. Biennale San Marino. Today, institutions like the ZERO foundation in Düsseldorf (established in 2008) and the Ludwig Museum Koblenz preserve its legacy.

Mack's own creations—light rotors, grids, and mirror objects—became defining works of post-war art. Even now, at 94, he maintains a strict routine: daily gymnastics, followed by studio work in the mornings and evenings. He faces aging with humour, insisting he doesn't feel old, and speaks openly about mortality, saying he could imagine living to 100.

Yet he is mindful of not becoming a burden to his family. His resilience and creativity remain undiminished, a testament to the enduring spirit of ZERO.

Mack's upcoming 95th birthday marks not just a personal milestone but a reminder of ZERO's lasting influence. His daily discipline and artistic output continue to inspire, bridging the movement's revolutionary past with contemporary practice. The ZERO foundation and global exhibitions ensure that its legacy—and Mack's contributions—remain visible worldwide.