Erika Giovanna Klien was a pioneering Austrian artist who bridged the gap between fine art and graphic design, particularly through her involvement in the Kinetismus movement.

Klien's artistic journey began at the Realgymnasium in Salzburg, followed by her enrollment at the Vienna School of Applied Arts (Kunstgewerbeschule) in 1919. From 1920 to 1924, she studied under Franz Cizek, a renowned figure in Austrian art education. Cizek introduced her to Kinetismus—a dynamic artistic style inspired by French Cubism, Italian Futurism, and Russian Constructivism—which sparked Klien's exploration of motion and abstraction in her own works. During her studies, she also worked as a teaching assistant in Cizek's Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) courses and participated in summer programs that honed her teaching skills.

By 1922, Klien had already developed her own version of Kinetismus, characterized by vibrant, energetic compositions that captured the essence of movement. Despite her early success and numerous exhibitions during her studies, financial necessity led Klien to pursue graphic design. From 1926 to 1928, she taught at the Elizabeth-Duncan School in Klessheim near Salzburg while exhibiting her work internationally, including at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.

In pursuit of better career opportunities, Klien emigrated to the United States in 1929, settling in New York. There, she contributed to various schools and art programs. From 1930 to 1940, she taught at institutions such as the New School for Social Research, Dalton School, and Stuyvesant Neighborhood House, alongside offering private tutoring. In the U.S., Klien continued her artistic pursuits, developing her unique approach to visual rhythm while also exploring dance and choreography. She gained U.S. citizenship in 1938 and, despite financial challenges, sustained her art practice through teaching and commissions as a graphic designer.

Klien's artistic contributions spanned painting, design, and education. She remained a prominent figure in avant-garde circles until her passing in 1957. Decades later, her significant influence on modern design and art was recognized when the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna dedicated a retrospective exhibition to her in 1987. (hs)