- Born
- Died
- Birth nameWilliam Ernst Hermann Wauer
- The son of a Lutheran minister, Wauer studied at Art Academies in Dresden, Berlin, and Munich, before going to Rome in 1893. He was an art critic and and editor in Dresden, moved to Berlin where he edited the magazine, "Quickboorn." He worked in other publishing ventures in Dresden, then returned to Berlin in 1905, where he began directing plays for Max Reinhardt, later directing at the Hebbel Theater and the Kleines Theater.
In 1911 he began directing and writing films through his own company.
In 1912 his art was exhibited in the famous "Sturm" exhhibition of Herwarth Walden in Berlin, which introduced numerous Expressionist artists to the scene. Working with Walden, he published numerous essays in "Der Sturm," and participate as a leader of the group, becoming in 1924 the chairman of the International Association of Expressionists, Cubists, Futurists, and Konstructivists, as well as the head of the art group "Die Abstrakten." He also gave numerous radio lectures on art between 1928 and 1933.
In the 1920s he also published numerous books on art, but was blacklisted after the Nazis took power in 1933. After World War II he continued his art again, as well as his teaching activities, becoming a member of the Board of the Association of Fine Artists (Verband der bildenden Künstler), and of the Verband der Volkshochschuldozenten (Association of Community College Lecturers). Major exhibitions of his work were organized for his 80th, 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jan-Christopher Horak
- Besides his activity in the film business William Wauer was also active as sculptor and he executed several exhibitions. Portraits of contemporary personalities like Albert Bassermann and Paul von Hindenburg made him well-known in this art form as well. He also worked for Walter Gropius for the Bauhaus.
- The art became his main activity after his film career and he was the co-founder of the association of the expressionists, cubists, futurists and constructivists.
- William Wauer became a busy film director and he founded his own film company. Later he also took over the management of other film companies.
- His last cinematical works as a director came at the beginning of the 20s into being with "Masken" (1920) and "Die Nächte des Cornelis Brouwer" (1921).
- His interest shifted to the new arising film business and William Wauer already realised his first movie as a director and screenwriter with "Richard Wagner" (13). The tile role was impersonated by the composer Giuseppe Becce who also wrote his own music for this movie in the style of Wagner because Wagner's family refused the approval to use the original music for Richard Wagner.
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