GN Focus | Switzerland
Setting the world on fire
The Swiss' innate quest for self-expression and discovery, along with their diverse cultural influences, has given rise to a growing band of contemporary artists
- By Adrienne Harebottle | Feature Writer
- Published: 00:00 June 20, 2011
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Though Olaf Breuning works across various mediums, there is a uniformity of boldness in his artwork. Pictured is work Fire
Swiss art and culture go back hundreds of years and are characterised by diversity, says Kurt Blum, General Manager, Swiss Art Gate UAE, a platform through which cultural and artistic projects between Switzerland and the UAE are organised. The multilingualism of the country also adds to this diversity, he says, as Switzerland has four languages being German, French, Italian and Romansh.
"Historically, traditional Swiss art is based on architectural and interior design. However, today we have a very diversified arts and culture scene, a consequence of the multicultural aspect of the country," says Blum. "Switzerland is not only chocolate, cheese, Roger Federer, Martina Hingis and all the famous Swiss watch brands. We also offer some of the finest visual and performing artists and musicians."
Tradition is important to the Swiss but they are very receptive to unconventional forms of expression, says Blum, adding that the history of research in Swiss culture shows they like to investigate and discover new things. "The Swiss are open-minded when it comes to a fusion of different cross-cultural events, or contemporary art. The Swiss are researchers and creative people," he says.
Reflecting this diversity and out-of-the-box creativity are the Swiss artists profiled in this piece. Having different backgrounds and working in various artistic fields, each has made a significant contribution to art around the world.
Name: Olaf Breuning
Region: Born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 1970
Discipline and work: Breuning, who currently lives and works in New York, was formally trained in photography, but also creates installations, sculptures, films and drawings. While his work is varied, he uses vivid colour, repetition, humour and often incorporates organic forms and people in his oft-satirical creations. Despite an eclectic collection and working across numerous fields, there is a uniformity of boldness, which makes his work identifiably Breuning: a beautiful and provoking collaboration of sublimity and absurdity.
The artist's work has been shown in countless museums and exhibitions, both solo and group, around the world.
Name: Hans Ruedi Giger
Region: Born in Chur, Switzerland, in 1940
Discipline and work: Giger is a surrealist painter, sculptor and set designer, and has had a great impact on the Fantastic-Realism movement with many of his highly influential artworks. Giger is best known for his work on Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien, which won him international fame and an Oscar.
In addition to Alien, for which Giger designed the horrific creature as well as the movie sets and sculpted its key elements, the Swiss artist also worked on Poltergeist II: The Other Side. Beyond fine arts and film, Giger designs furniture, which is characterised by his fantastic and unique style.
Moving between science fiction, macabre, grotesque and occult themes, Giger's work reflects influences from artists Salvador Dali and Ernst Fuchs.
Name: Hafis Bertschinger
Region: Born in Bhamdoun, Lebanon, in 1933 to a Lebanese mother and Swiss father
Discipline and work: The Swiss-Lebanese nomad creates installations and sculptures that often incorporate wood, metal and clay. While playing with the concepts of energy and transition, Bertschinger creates slender structures representing towers, staircases and other architectural forms. His diverse background — a mix of Eastern and Western languages and culture — has influenced his work, which has been exhibited all over the world, most notably in Japan and the UAE. Being able to build a sculpture, which simultaneously incorporates light, hollowness and solid form, Bertschinger is a master of blending visual antonyms.
Name: Yvan "Lozzi" Pestalozzi
Region: Born in Glarus, Switzerland, in 1937
Discipline and work: After completing his apprenticeship in cabinet making, Lozzi expanded his know-how of functional form, becoming a sculptor of kinetic art. The self-taught artist does drawings and paintings as well. Lozzi has won several awards for his works, which have been exhibited at numerous galleries, museums and events, including the World Future Energy Summit. His sculptures are made from materials ranging from iron, soft metals, wire to synthetic cements.
While his collection is extensive, Lozzi's "light-hearted" work is characterised by his brand of fun and ironic playfulness. Through his "humorous" art, he aims to counter negative aspects of life. He says, "Each of us has a good side and a nasty side. I've made it my aim in life to neutralise this widespread nastiness in the world by using humour as a positive force... I want the light that emanates from my work to dispel the prevailing gloom..."
Name: Gerry Hofstetter
Region: Born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1962
Discipline and work: Hofstetter is an illuminator whose creative light projections allow him to transform buildings, monuments, mountains and landmarks into contemporary artworks, earning him worldwide acclaim.
The renowned artist has reinvented architectural feats such as Brandenburg Gate, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid with his graphic designs cast over them.
Hofstetter, who visually draws attention to the environment and aims to raise awareness of climate change, has executed several projects involving natural settings. He has illuminated the Matterhorn, a mountain in the Pennine Alps, to focus on receding glaciers in the Alps. He also lit up icebergs in Antarctica, drawing attention to the increasing effects of global warming. His light art project titled Monuments of Switzerland saw him redesign the Goesgen nuclear power plant in Switzerland. The artist believes using light is the best medium to send a message as it is clean, silent and flexible.
To find out about future and ongoing cultural and artistic projects between the UAE and Switzerland visit www.swissartgateuae.com
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Architecture: an extension of culture
Sculptural artist, architect and designer André C. Meyerhans, the mastermind of the new Al Garhoud Bridge, sees architecture as an artform that is an extension of the cultural history of the region in which it's built. A structure representing Switzerland would entail high-quality craftsmanship, reduction to the bare essentials, attention to detail and a high degree of order, says Meyerhans.
"Most of the buildings in the UAE and the Middle East — if they are not based on the client's taste and investment optimisation — are formal and affirmative in nature," he says. "Swiss mentality, on the other hand, is rather content-focused and challenging by nature. A structure or building [designed] for Switzerland would focus on organisational issues, and would question preconceived ideas and provide different solutions."
The 38-year-old from Zürich feels that while the Swiss are consistent and controlled, they are open-minded about art, and creativity in all forms is encouraged from a young age in Switzerland. "Creativity will grow wherever there is a void, an uncontrolled environment, whether left intentionally or not. Switzerland provides plenty of them and not only in the art scene but also in business and research."
Meyerhans, who describes his work as investigative, inspiring and challenging, also creates jewellery and furniture. He has exhibited his work in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. His latest showing was at the Yas Hotel in the capital city, which was held earlier this month.
— A.H.
