Heinz Julen Biography

Heinz Julen is a multi-talented artist, designer, and hotelier based in Zermatt, Switzerland. He is renowned for his furniture designs, sculptures, and pictures, which are in high demand across the globe. He also co-initiated the legendary music festival, "Zermatt Unplugged."

Julen's artistic talents were evident from a young age, and he began creating furniture at the age of sixteen. He drew inspiration from Valais' culture and history, incorporating salvaged items from demolished houses and hotels into his designs. Recycling is second nature to him, and he continues to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Julen is also a talented sculptor and painter, with his pictures being legendary and his sculptures in demand worldwide. He has an unconventional approach to art, as seen in his creation of the Matterhorn through the use of zinc sheet cubes.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Julen is also a successful hotelier. He owns and operates the Backstage Hotel, which features his artwork prominently throughout the rooms and public spaces. His hotel also serves as a venue for cultural events, furthering his commitment to promoting the arts. Julen's private life is centered ed around his family, including his wife and their three children. He places great importance on feeling comfortable in his living space and believes in making compromises, especially when raising children. He also credits his late father, who supported him and instilled in him the values of treating others well and following his passions.

Overall, Heinz Julen's life and work are a testament to his creativity, innovation, and commitment to promoting the arts. He continues to inspire and captivate people with his unique and thought-provoking creations.

Here is one of his interview with Swiss magazine:

WORK AND LIVE

Heinz Julen, a remarkable artist hailing from the Valais region, has always been closely tied to his roots and upbringing in Zermatt, where religion holds great significance. His works stand witness to this intimate connection with the environment and spirituality, elevating him to the ranks of exceptional talents with a unique career trajectory.

But let's delve into the origins of this gifted artist: "I grew up in Findeln, up on the Bery. My parents owned a restaurant there, now known as Chez Vroni, which my sister manages today. This multi-award-winning restaurant is as sought-after as my art," Julen reminisces. Having grown up in a family immersed in gastronomy and tourism, Julen's creative spark was kindled from an early age. "While my sisters played typical girl games, I was always tinkering away, building huts out of wood, cloth, and plastic parts. These structures grew increasingly complex, and even my sisters ended up sleeping in them. That's how it all began," Julen explains with a smile.

“I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT ART, ABOUT THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF ART. ANDY WARHOL WAS A PIONEER WITH HIS PICTURES COPIED THOUSANDS OF TIMES."

Today, Julen is known for his exceptional architecture, designing exclusive buildings such as the Backstage Hotel, where our interview takes place. However, he never really had to make a career decision. "I've always done what I wanted to do. Even as a boy, I loved to draw. I remember a guest seeing me drawing and asking if they could buy my artwork. That's how my first Julen piece sold for 25 francs," he recalls.

As a resourceful youngster, he even cobbled together a rudimentary copying machine from an old freezer to reproduce his drawings and sell them by the side of the road. "My mother was wary of my artistic inclinations and would have preferred to see me follow in the family’s footsteps and pursue a career in the restaurant business. But I knew early on that it wasn't my calling – or at least, not the way my mother had envisioned it. Today, I'm also a hotelier, but I see myself more as a host than a chef," Julen chuckles.

A pivotal moment in his life was when a former teacher uttered a sentence that still rings true today: "An inventor remains an inventor." The idea that one could shape their own world fascinated him, and it has guided him throughout his career. His father played an instrumental role in helping him realize his dreams, allowing him to build his studio on one of his properties, albeit with humble means. Even at the age of fourteen, he was already driving his father's tractor, gathering building materials like sand and wood from demolished houses to construct his studio. His father's unwavering trust in him was crucial, and it left a deep impression on him. One particular visit from a friend from the lowlands stands out in his memory when the friend was moved to tears after seeing how much his father believed in him: "He gave me a basic trust, he believed in me, which was decisive for my later career."

Heinz Julen's father, who passed away eight years ago, was a pioneer in many ways, from his role in agriculture and co-founding the mountain railways to establishing the ski school. His influence is still evident today, as films he made are shown in the public cinema of the Backstage Hotel. But what stands out the most to Heinz Julen is how his father never pressured him and always emphasized the importance of treating others well: "His credo was always: you have to be good to each other, ethically and morally, and he set an example for us."

Living in a deeply Catholic area, faith has always been a significant aspect of Julen's life, as it is for his sisters. While the attitude of "The Lord God will fix it" may have been prevalent in the past, it's less so today, with people turning to doctors, insurance, and nursing homes for assistance. Yet, he remains steadfast in his beliefs while acknowledging that faith alone doesn't make anyone better: "But I don't want to say that that makes us better people."

At the young age of sixteen, he began crafting furniture with limited resources. "I scoured Valais for free treasures such as old windows, doors, heating stoves, and other salvageable items from demolished houses and hotels. I kept my eyes open for anything with a history and a connection to Valais' culture," he explains. Recycling was second nature to him, and he drew inspiration from his travels. While he admires exhibitions such as Art Basel, he doesn't have a specific role model since his approach to creating is entirely unique. "When I see something good, the only thing that annoys me is that I didn't think of it myself," he chuckles.

As a multi-talented artist, his involvement in music is just as remarkable as his furniture designs. He was a co-initiator of the legendary "Zermatt Unplugged," which took root in his Vernissage rooms. It all started in his father's small cinema, where he showcased his films and exhibited his furniture. Over time, the rather modest room transformed into a music club with a recycled interior, which now contributes to the success of his hotel. Music is also a passion for Julen, and he proudly notes that Zermatt Unplugged is one of the largest music events in Switzerland. What's even more impressive is that artists now seek them out, rather than the other way around.

"ONE DAY I HAD THE IDEA TO REILUTE OUR MOUNTAINS IN A VERY UNCONVENTIONAL WAY: I CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN WITH ZINC CUBES AND THREW THEM DOWN..."

Julen's artistic repertoire extends beyond furniture-making, with his legendary paintings and highly sought-after sculptures in demand worldwide. One particular project stands out in his memory: "I once had the idea of recreating our mountains in an unconventional way. I climbed the mountains with zinc sheet cubes and threw them down so that they smashed, then processed them with a precise topography map to create a new interpretation of the Matterhorn. This opened up a new avenue in the category and transformed it into art once again."

Many artists from the show scene, including Brad Pitt, paint, however he remains neutral on their work. He cites examples of other famous painters, such as David Bowie, Sylvester Stallone, Büne Huber, Stephan Eicher, and Chris von Rohr, who garner attention for their fame rather than the quality of their art. However, Robbie Williams, a close friend of Julen's, has taken up painting as therapy, and Julen supports him in these endeavours. He even acknowledges the artistic talents of former Miss Switzerland Patrizia Fissler, despite his initial scepticisms about her notoriety as an ex-miss and model.

For Julen, a highlight was the opportunity to bring the paintings of Peter Doig, who had already exhibited at the Foundation Beyeler in Basel, to his gallery. Doig's main painting, which features the Matterhorn, is an honor for him, who was asked by the artist himself to showcase his work. Doig's influence also extended beyond his artwork, as he encouraged him to maintain his independence in the art world. For Julen, creating art is not about speculation or financial gain, but rather about pleasing people with his work.

As both an artist and a furniture designer, Julen places great importance on feeling comfortable in one's living space. For him, having a nice view and ample space is crucial, and he acknowledges the need for compromise when raising children. He notes that some people in Zermatt rent out their luxurious properties for exorbitant prices and live in their basements, but he refuses to make such sacrifices when it comes to his own living situation. With his hotel, he has the opportunity to showcase his artwork, which is displayed in the rooms and available for purchase. During his school days, Julen lived in the hotel that his family owned in the centre of the village, while he spent his school holidays in his studio on the mountain. With his hotel, he's able to showcase his art, with his works hanging in the rooms and available for purchase.

When it comes to his wishes, Julen is content with his life and takes it as it comes, following in the footsteps of his role model, his late father. He also believes in letting his children choose their own paths and never pressuring them in any direction. One of his daughters is interested in marine biology, while his eldest son shares his passion for design and is already involved in the ski club. He looks forward to seeing where their futures will take them.

*original interview is written in German and has been re-write by Fenty ( Sweet & Sour by Flo Neubauer's spokesperson and media relations )