Und die Fremde ist der Tod / As Estrangement is Death

The first edition of Und die Fremde ist der Tod / As Estrangement is Death with excerpts and drawings by Bruno Schleinstein was published in 2003. It was inspired by Miron Zownir’s “Die Fremde ist der Tod,” a film about and with Bruno S. The quotes – found aphorisms of sorts – are taken from the film itself. In addition, the book presents drawings by Bruno S., who created a Gesamtkunstwerk in his lifetime. Bruno S. was world-renowned for his leading roles in films by Werner Herzog: as the main character in 1974’s “The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser” and as the street musician in 1976’s “Stroszek.” The book contains accompanying texts by authors and artists who came to know Bruno S.’ life after the Herzog era: Nico Anfuso, Harry Hass, Thomas Kapielski, Mario Mentrup, Klaus Theuerkauf, and Philipp Virus. The texts were translated into English for the new edition.

About the artist:
Born near Berlin in 1932 as the illegitimate child of a German mother and a Polish father, Bruno Schleinstein spent his early years in children’s homes and sanatoriums. He repeatedly tried to escape but was recaptured every time. After finally being released in 1955, he lived in homeless shelters and halfway houses and earned his living as an unskilled worker. During this time he began to play the concertina and the accordion. In the mid-60s, he created his first drawings, illustrating the lyrics of his songs. Starting in 1963, he worked as a forklift driver for the next 28 years. In his spare time, he performed murder ballads in Berlin backyards. After a brief period of fame as an actor thanks to leading roles in films by Werner Herzog, Bruno Schleinstein returned to his previous life as a street musician and artist in Berlin. In the 90s, he made a name for himself among art collectors and fellow artists. Bruno S. died in Berlin on August 11, 2010.