Eckart Wintzen, the founder and chairman of Ex’pression College for Digital Arts (Emeryville, Calif.; www.expression.edu), passed away on March 21 of heart failure while vacationing in France.
Wintzen also founded software company BSO (later renamed Origin) in 1976. His venture-capital vehicle Ex’tent supports young entrepreneurs’ initiatives that point out ways for people to act more responsibly toward each other and the planet. Wintzen also founded Ex’ovision, a company involved in the development and commercialization of a new generation of personal video communication systems. Wintzen was also closely involved with the success of Greenwheels, Ben & Jerry’s and other companies.
“Eckart was a visionary who saw digital arts as green, sustainable methods of communicating ideas,” said Spencer Nilsen, Ex’pression’s president and creative director. “He believed that every person is creative in some way and that technology could liberate the inner artist in astonishing ways. He used to tell me that fear was the greatest enemy of innovation and that you have to shower people with love so they’re fearless and confident in their ability to succeed. He will be deeply missed, but his enormous spirit is undeniable throughout every studio and colorful hallway.”
