Project Description Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep: Project Description EXHIBITION DATES: University Art Gallery Sewanee: The University of the South Sewanee, TN, USA February 29th – March 30th, 2008 additional US tour dates pending for March-December 2008 Paper Museum Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, USA January 8th – February 20th, 2009 CURATOR/EXHIBITION ORGANIZER: Julie Püttgen, Assistant Professor of Art Department of Art and Art History Sewanee: The University of the South ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATION: Ms. Giosia Berri, Intern Swiss Consulate General Atlanta, GA PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Working in Switzerland: Elisabeth Bottesi-Fischer Ueli Hofer Ernst Oppliger Beatrice Straubhaar Bruno Weber Working in North America: Humberto Duque Michelle Forsyth Jessica Owings Julie Püttgen Alison Slein Lane Twitchell EXHIBITION SYNOPSIS: The University Art Gallery at Sewanee: The University of the South is proud to present Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep, which will introduce viewers to parallel, complementary worlds of environmentally focused cut-paper art. The exhibition, organized and curated by Sewanee art professor Julie Püttgen, showcases artists from the Swiss Scherenschnitt (literally: “scissor cutting”) tradition together with contemporary artists working in North America, and considers their responses to human interaction with the natural and man-made environment. Drawing from traditional papercutting techniques, Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep artists create silhouettes, dioramas, paper lacework, pop-up drawings, and complex symmetrical designs. The resulting narratives present striking contrasts and similarities: from Ernst Oppliger’s profound environmental love affair with Swiss pastoral life, to Humberto Duque’s absurdist figures in dismembered landscapes; from Lane Twitchell’s crystalline homages to American ephemera, to Ueli Hofer’s mythical Edens. All of these are linked together by explorations of human interrelationships with the natural and man- made world, as well as by the radically simple starting point of paper and blade. The act of cutting paper requires clarity of mind and physical patience, as well as a certain confidence in reductive and often hidden processes. As a result, each piece in the exhibition bears a palpable presence born both of its maker’s practiced hand, and of the conviction required to create it. Bringing together this small group of Swiss and North American artists for the first time, Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep presents a unique opportunity to consider different papercutting traditions in the context of heightened environmental awareness. As part of Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep, the University Art Gallery at Sewanee: The University of the South will present a series of workshops and presentations by exhibiting artists from Switzerland and North America. An exhibition catalogue published by The University of the South will also be available. Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep will tour onwards to the Paper Museum in Atlanta, GA as well as other educational and non-profit venues in the US and Switzerland in 2008-2009. PRINCIPAL SPONSORS: Pro Helvetia Kuehne + Nagel Tennessee Fine Arts Commission New York Foundation for the Arts Artists Working in Switzerland Elisabeth Bottesi-Fischer About myself I was born on 25 June 1960 in Gstaad where I spent my childhood together with 4 brothers. After my apprenticeship in Aarau as furrier I moved to Zurich, where I met my husband Moreno. In 1987 we moved to Oetwil am See, got married in 1988 and in 1989 our first son, Ramon, was born. Our second son, Mauro, was born in 1992. Since 1997 I own of a nice studio where I can paint, cut and also exhibit my work. I also organise painting evenings and courses on regular basis. Paper cuttings The handicraft in general was passed on to me by my parents. My father, a carpenter, decorated his self made furniture with carvings and my mother painted old furniture in a traditional style called "Bauernmalerei". On the wall above my bed hung a heart-formed paper cutting with Anemones and wildlife, a cutting by Christian Schwizgebel. Already as a small child I admired this kind of art. Painting and handicraft were therefore my favourite subjects in school. When, at the age of 13, I had to lie in bed at home for one month due to a ski accident, I searched for the smallest scissors we had at home - it was a small, bent nail scissors. My mother organised black, gummed paper and that's how some paper cuttings with horses, cows and wildlife were created. A neighbour thought I was gifted and organised a meeting with Christian Schwizgebel. Finally, I met my idol. I sat with him in his living room and he showed me how he cut, without drawing any lines or preparing a sketch. This seemed nearly impossible to me. From him I learnt some important things that helped me greatly. A big coloured, three-dimensional paper cutting was leaning against the wall in his living-room. Finally, I saw what kind of scissors was used for paper cutting and my teacher gave me 10 pieces of special paper for paper cutting. Several months later, he was filmed by TV with me as his apprentice - I was very proud! As we didn't have a television at home, I only saw the film many years later. For a long time I didn't know what profession to choose. I would have liked to become a potter but the careers advisor thought it was a worthless job. As my mother bred rabbits for a long time, I finally decided to become a furrier. I passed my apprenticeship in Aarau where I lived on a farm in the "Fricktal" with my aunt and my uncle. During this period, I only created few paper cuttings. In 1981, I joined the association "Verein Künstler und Kunstfreunde" (VKK). From then on, I exhibited my paper cuttings regularly, mostly at community expositions. Due to professional reasons I moved toZurich and in 1992 I began with a new technique. Up to then I mainly created black, folded paper cuttings. I couldn't get away from the traditional themes but wanted to do something different from the others. Furthermore, I couldn't stand the amount of black anymore. Then I remembered the coloured paper cutting collage at Christian Schwitzgelbel's home and began to create coloured paper cutting collages. My technique (coloured paper cutting collages) Usually, I prepare a rough sketch first and create then a folded cutting. Then I choose the colours. The coloured paper I use is mainly out of news papers and catalogues. I selectively glue the finished black paper cutting to the back ground material; on or under it I glue coloured flowers, leaves, grasses and the like, which gives the three-dimensional effect. For the cutting I only use a special scissors for paper cuttings (brand: Kürsteiner, Zollikerberg). AUSSTELLUNGEN VON ELISABETH BOTTESI Seit 1981 regelmässige Einzel- oder Gruppenausstellungen in Bern, Basel, Zug und Zürich sowie Ausstellungen im eigenen Atelier. Jahr Name der Ausstellung/Ort 1992/94/96 Zürcherische Scherenschnittausstellung 1993 Galerie Leepünt, Dübendorf ZH 1994 Bernische Scherenschnittausstellung, Unterseen 1995 Heimatwerk Rudolf Brun Brücke, Zürich 1996 Galerie Pflug, Rafz ZH 1997 Galerie Milchhütte, Zumikon ZH 1996/97 Schweizerische Scherenschnittausstellung, Liestal BL 1997 Galerie Tenne, Zürich 1997 Appenzeller Volkskundemuseum, Stein AR 1997/98 Kirchgemeindehaus, Gstaad BE 1998 Galerie Sprungbrett, Niederglatt ZH 1998 + 2000 Galerie Bireboum, Zimmerwald BE 1999 Heeb’s Wohngalerie, Henggart ZH 1999 Bernische Scherenschnittausstellung, Bern 2000 Restaurant Hüsy, Blankenburg BE 2000 + 2002 Galerie Allegri, Flendruz VD 2000 Werkgalerie, Maur ZH 2000/01 Ortsmuseum Wiedikon, Zürich 2001 Boutique Potpourri, Gstaad BE 2001 FORUM, Glattbrugg ZH 2002 Mountain Top Art Gallerry, Wengen BE 2002 Schweiz. Scherenschnittausstellung, Bulle FR 2002 Zelgli-Trotte, Hettlingen ZH 2002 Galerie Bireboum, Zimmerwald BE 2003 Hand Art-Gallerie, Rapperswil SG 2003 STREBA, Wohlen AG 2003 Zelgli-Trotte, Hettlingen ZH 2003 Bernische Scherenschnittausstellung im Kornhaus, Burgdorf BE 2004 + 2007 Stall-Lädeli, Dübendorf ZH 2004 Galerie du Jorat, Mézières VD 2004 Kunststube, Kollbrunn ZH 2004 Haus-Wäckerling, Uetikon ZH (Aquarelle) 2005 Chäller-Galerie, Gstaad (permanente Ausstellung) 2005 Swiss Beauty & Art Galerie, Zürich (permanente Ausstellung) 2006 University-Museum, Hong Kong 2006 Gastro-Galerie, Interlaken-Ost 2006 Grand-Casino, Baden (Aquarelle) 2006 + 2007 Modernes-Kunsthandwerk im Ritterhaus, Bubikon 2006 Chinesisch-schweizerische Scherenschnittausstellung, Macao 2007 Schweizerische Scherenschnittausstellung im Museum Château Prangins, Prangins 2007 „Selenpflästerli“ Papierschnitte aus der Schweiz im Klingenmuseum, Solingen (Deutschland) 2007 Alex’s Art Galerie, Klosters 2007 Galerie „Quattro“, Glattfelden 2007/08 „Schnittzauber“ Papierschnittkunst aus China und Europa in der „Burg Zug“, Zug Ueli Hofer Ueli Hofer Ueli Hofer wurde 1952 in Lütiwil geboren, im Emmental, wo ihn die natur zu schöpferischer Tätigkeit anregte. Nach der Prüfung zum Bäcker- Konditorenmeister schlug Ueli Hofer schon bald einen künstlerischen Weg ein. Erste Kleinode geschnittenen Papiers entstanden und in kurzer Zeit zeugten erfolgreiche Ausstellungen im In- und Ausland vom grossen Können des Autodidakten. Öffnet Ueli Hofer heute seine Ateliertüren, weht daraus ein Wind von langem, entwicklungsreichem künstlerischem Schaffen. Spritziges, Unkonventionelles findet der Besucher in Form von Collagen. In ihnen lässt Hofer alles zu, vom Rost des Lebens bis zum letzten Wort. In diese Richtung neu inspiriert hat ihn ein halbjähriger