Tag Archives: flag throwing

030 – did Kurt Schwitters think Franz Hug a tosser?

030 - did Kurt Schwitters think Franz Hug a tosser? Collage by David Smith

030 – did Kurt Schwitters think Franz Hug a tosser?
Paper, sandpaper and ink 229mm x 152mm

A bit of a different style today and another little homage to Kurt Schwitters.

It is also dedicated to the memory of Franz Hug, Flag Thrower at the 1936 Olympic Games, whose autographed photograph I still possess.  I met him when I was a boy on holiday in Switzerland when he gave a performance of his flag throwing skills and also played the alpenhorn, the biggest horn a man could wish for – as a 10 year old I was quite impressed! I think he did some yodelling too, but that wasn’t so impressive. Franz Hug also appeared films: the hugely popular 1955 “Cinerama Holiday”, “Postman’s Holiday” and Laurel and Hardy’s “Swiss Maid”. I believe his roles were limited to flag throwing!

I keep a little framed copy of Franz Hug’s portrait on my desk to cheer me up if I am low or soothe me if I get enraged by the injustice of the world. It reminds me of the futility of all things we humans do and, at the same time, the great things ordinary folk can accomplish with a little application and madness.