The Idea — the Form — the Content
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— THE NEW KUNST- HAUS — THE IDEA — THE FORM — THE CONTENT THE ZÜRCHER KUNSTGESELLSCHAFT’S IDEA OF A MUSEUM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY GIVES A TREMENDOUS BOOST TO ZURICH’S APPEAL. THE NEW KUNSTHAUS IS TO OPEN BY 2020. — WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU ARE TAKING AN INTEREST. — THE NEW KUNSTHAUS — 20 20 — THE IDEA — The Kunsthaus Zürich enjoys international renown. Since 1787, its patrons have ensured that art is collected and exhibited in Zurich, and today the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, with more than 21,000 members, is the largest art association in Europe after the Tate in London. Now the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft is lending its support to a new undertaking: the creation of a museum for the 21st century. The New Kunst- haus is to be inaugurated in 2020. — FOR ART AND THE PUBLIC creation, Dutch painting and Italian of the institution’s pioneering commitment Baroque art are abundantly represented to contemporary art, as well as to broad The museum’s first home was built in 1910 in its collection rooms, along with the based art appreciation. on Heimplatz. Its German name, Kunst largest assortment of pieces by Edvard haus or ‘house of art,’ is an expression Munch outside Norway. — of its particular function, to provide a venue The Kunsthaus has assembled more SHOWING ART IN A DYNAMIC CONTEXT for changing exhibitions as well as a than half of its collection in the form of home for its own collection, and thus to be donations, and is also home to the holdings The extension will enhance the Kunsthaus neither simply a museum nor an exhibition of leading foundations, foremost among Zürich’s focus on art of the 1960s and hall, but both at once. Since its founda- them the Alberto Giacometti Foundation. later, in all of its abundant significance and tion the Kunsthaus has undergone multiple The collection has always championed the complex contingency. The finished project extensions, so as to host a broad range contemporary art of each period, and will demonstrate parallel techniques of exhibitions, house its growing collection, the Kunsthaus has hosted the major Zurich within discrete epochs of artistic produc and meet the public’s evolving demands. premieres of many artists such as Picasso tion, and how the genres of painting, and Baselitz. graphic arts, sculpture, photography and — Nevertheless, only some ten percent of new media interrelate. What is more, A PREDILECTION FOR THE PRESENT the Kunsthaus collection can be shown traditionally proportioned galleries are at present, with Impressionism, Classical also planned for showing paintings of The Kunsthaus owes its reputation to Modernism and the contemporary pro the 19th century and works of Classical the fact that it boasts an exemplary cross duc tion of our own era, including photo Modernism. section of Swiss and western art. From graphy and video art, getting parti cularly The project will be distinguished by four the Middle Ages to the present day, works short shrift. The current extension core elements: its focus on art of the from six centuries of Swiss artistic project constitutes a renewed affirmation 1960s and later, the E.G. Bührle Collection, — 04 mediumsized temporary exhibitions, and in the collection. The existing building’s to Zurich’s campaign for a place among its central entrance hall, a new form of infrastructure will continue to be used, the the world’s great capitals. Thanks to public space in which to experience art. main hall will remain as attractive as the extraordinary commitment shown by ever, and retrospectives of work by artists the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, half of — such as Monet, Turner and Picasso, the construction costs are to be met from ONE OF A KIND: FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM as well as comprehensive thematic private sources. The city and canton of exhibitions, will be staged there. In future, Zurich are responsible for the remaining The Kunsthaus collection, itself of therefore, the 400,000 guests expected half. considerable artistic value, is to be joined annually will be sure to visit all areas of The Kunsthaus is taking a giant by the E.G. Bührle Foundation Collection. the Kunsthaus complex equally. step towards becoming a museum of the When the Bührle’s 150 works are moved 21st century. We are delighted you are from their current home, a private villa — taking an interest – it’s good to know you in Zollikerstrasse, to Heimplatz, the Kunst- ENJOYING CULTURE IN UNIQUE VENUES are on our side! haus will be able to show the general public a significant representation of The museum’s art education offering is to French 19thcentury painting, including be generously expanded: multipurpose masterpieces by Monet, Cézanne workshops will meet visitors’ needs and and van Gogh. For its part, Zurich will expectations, and a stateoftheart boast the continent’s most important laboratory will be devoted to the creative collection of French Impressionist use of electronic media. Groups of visitors and PostImpressionist work after Paris, and school classes will be able to use and both the city and Switzerland the new breakout spaces to work on a will thus see a major enhancement of project or enjoy a snack. A multipurpose their cultural offerings. banquet and event room is planned, to As a result, the existing museum provide a topquality venue for concerts complex will have more room for Old and external events. The infrastructure Masters, among other things, and needed for film screenings and roundtable will be able to showcase large groups of discussions will be available in the works by Swiss artists, in particular collection galleries. The central hall will as — Ferdinand Hodler and Alberto Giacometti, a rule be independent of the opening Rudolf Koller in a manner befitting their status. The hours of the museum proper; the same Reclining Greyhound, 1852 comprehensive holdings make a range of will be true of its associated restaurant Oil on canvas, 37 x 86 cm different presentations possible, in services. Guests will be able to enjoy which sculpture, painting and work on a snack both inside the bar and outside Bartolomeo Montagna paper can enter into dialogue. on the Kunsthaus grounds, another Christ Carrying the Cross, around 1515 The extension will provide space to show new reason to visit Heimplatz. Oil on canvas, 85 x 70 cm 20 percent of the Kunsthaus collection, The highest international standards Vereinigung Zürcher Kunstfreunde fully twice that available at present. The will govern the new museum’s heating, works on exhibit will include examples ventilation and air conditioning, as Alberto Giacometti of key movements such as Dada and well as its security system. Together with Petite figurine sur socle, around 1939 / 45 Plaster, Concrete Art, which will be made more the relationships of trust the Kunsthaus 7.3 x 3.5 x 3.7 cm accessible to the public than heretofore, has developed over the course of decades Alberto Giacometti Foundation, as well as lend additional significance with its outside partners, these standards donated by Anna and Anton BucherBechtler by being shown in their historical context. will furnish the basis for international © 2015 ProLitteris, Zurich cooperation and ensure an appropriate new — home for gifts and donations. Guests, Jeff Wall A WINNING EXHIBITION PROGRAMME too, will benefit, since optimal conditions Tattoos and Shadows, 2000 for art work are also conducive to a Largeformat transparency in lightbox, 214.5 x 274 x 26 cm The extension will fulfil a longtime pleasant visit. Vereinigung Zürcher Kunstfreunde wish by providing an additional room for © Jeff Wall temporary exhibitions. The new room — will be roughly half the size of the main TOGETHER ON THE RIGHT PATH Torben Giehler Matterhorn, 2002 exhibition hall built in 1958, and will Acrylic on canvas, be divisible into a number of sections. The With its extension, the Kunsthaus Zürich 184 x 148 x 7 cm museum’s annual programme will be will be the largest and most dynamic art © Torben Giehler enriched by changing presentations without museum in Switzerland, capable of All works from the Kunsthaus Zürich costly and timeconsuming interventions making a significant cultural contribution — — 05 — 18 52 — 19 39 19 45 — 20 02 — 15 15 — 20 00 — THE FORM — David Chipperfield Architects’ architecture, a clear design flooded with light, lends a simple elegant form, landmark status and tremendous appeal to the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft’s idea of a museum for the 21st century. The museum is nearly doubling its space. Together with the existing Kunst - haus building it will constitute Switzerland’s largest art museum. — — UNAMBIGUOUS FORM A LARGE PUBLIC SPACE located on the ground floor, facing the city centre. The central hall is to be The Kunsthaus Zürich extension is to be Central to the design is the desire to conveniently accessible from three sides, built according to David Chipperfield create a connection between Heim both during and after the museum’s Architects’ design. The design calls for a platz and the public art garden north of opening hours. It is to become a place for clean geometrical structure, proudly the new building by means of a hall encounters between art and the public. standing on Heimplatz: a volume flooded running the entire length of the structure. With its great height and mezzanines with light, accessible from three sides, All of the extension’s public functions – running around its entire circumference, with landmark status and considerable main entrance, café, museum shop, the entrance area will serve to orient appeal. art education and banquet hall – are to be visitors in the threestorey building. — 08 A flight of steps will offer access to the The new building’s belowground level second main entrance, and to the garden.