6th Swiss Scultpure Exhibition Biel

M.Ziegler: Einführung

Introduction

Any society's intellectual tendencies and aesthetics can be deciphered from its environment. If we could look back from the future to the present time – what would the traces look like that we have left on the world around us? Would it be legitimate to speak of a visual era? Of an environment shaped by visually sensitive people?

Looking, visual apprehension – which I would like to distinguish from mere visual registration – do not seem to stand in very high regard these days; they are not qualities that are being particularly nurtured. Neither at school nor in the workplace, and only very rarely in their own homes, do our contemporaries attribute great significance to such categories. It looks as though there was little demand for artistic expression.

It is true that artists are tolerated: usually as decorators, and as entertainers; in the public consciousness, their works are commonly regarded as objects of luxury.

But is it not the very artist who – thanks to his education, his experience, his sensitivity – is an expert in visual affairs? If this were so, his expertise would absolutely have to be acknowledged as such and he would have to be involved in the shaping of our environment.

Concluding a five-year hiatus, Biel again has occasion to present a great overview of Swiss sculptural art. The Jury have selected some 160 sculptures, objects and projects from among almost 800 registered works submitted by approximately 250 artists. Our focus has been on large to monumental sculptures that are particularly well suited for open-air display, works that have been created for a location which is accessible to the public. It seemed to us that it would make sense to present the sculptures in an urban setting, in the everyday world of the population of Biel. The medieval town of Biel has been integrated into the exhibition – not as an exhibition "gallery" but rather as an exhibit: with its well-proportioned squares and sculptural spaces, this medieval town can well be considered an artistic "object" in its own right.

In Biel we have made two attempts that shall demonstrate how we envisage the involvement of the artist in the shaping of our environment. Artists, architects and various other experts came together to create large-scale environments – we call them "Atmospheres" (Klimas). The two experiments were made on two construction projects whose regular budgets already contained an item called "artistic design". As is customary, the artists' projects had to be approved by various committees. New briefs (integration of the artist at all stages of construction; endeavour to create "art in the public realm"), and the trust placed in the artists by everyone involved have produced new solutions.

One project – concerning Biel Teacher Training School (Seminare Biel) – has virtually reached completion. With regard to the second project, only the blueprints and models for the outdoor spaces of the Vocational School (Gewerbeschule) will be available when our Exhibition opens. This part will be complemented by a documentation of further projects and realisations throughout Switzerland.

Another important part of our Exhibition consists in various events, most of which will be organised together with existing institutions from Biel.

As a special "trailer" to the 6th Sculpture Exhibition, we would like to present a small selection of fifteen works from the 1st Swiss Open-Air Sculpture Exhibition held in 1954 in the grounds of Rittermatten school. The special exhibition pays homage to Marcel Joray, the founder, and organiser of the previous five exhibitions.

Maurice Ziegler

© Translation from German, July 2008: Margret Powell-Joss




  • Selbstbildnis, Keller Gottfried, expo 1975
    Selbstbildnis
  • Pavillonskulptur II, Bill Max, expo 1975
    Pavillonskulptur II
  • Kreuzfrau, Eggenschwiler Franz, expo 1975
    Kreuzfrau
  • 1975, Brand Heinz, expo 1975
    1975
  • Figur I, Engel Michel, expo 1975
    Figur I
  • Spiralen-Frau, Benazzi Raffael, expo 1975
    Spiralen-Frau
  • 1974, Kretz Walter, expo 1975
    1974
  • Objekt III, Villiger Hannah, expo 1975
    Objekt III
  • Elément, Emile Angéloz, expo 1975
    Elément
  • Baumstrunk, Huser Theodor, expo 1975
    Baumstrunk
  • Löwenturm, Roth Dieter, expo 1975
    Löwenturm
  • In sich verhalten, Demut Trudi, expo 1975
    In sich verhalten
  • Cuscino con Agio, Paolucci Flavio, expo 1975
    Cuscino con Agio
  • Glasskulptur 75/6, Mauboulès Jean, expo 1975
    Glasskulptur 75/6
  • Werk Nr. 1503, Benazzi Raffael, expo 1975
    Werk Nr. 1503
  • Bronze-Beton-Scheibe III, Rehmann Erwin, expo 1975
    Bronze-Beton-Scheibe III
  • Sitzende, Steiger-Crawford Flora, expo 1975
    Sitzende
  • Begehbare Platten, Lüchinger Thomas, expo 1975
    Begehbare Platten
  • Eisenplastik 1, Odermatt Josef Maria, expo 1975
    Eisenplastik 1
  • Fläche – Raum – Ecke – Fläche (5 Platten), Stäuble Jürg, expo 1975
    Fläche – Raum – Ecke – Fläche (5 Platten)
  • Figur II, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1975
    Figur II
  • Grosser Klappwürfel, Vetter Konrad, expo 1975
    Grosser Klappwürfel
  • „In Tuchfühlung treten…“, Buchwalder Ernst, expo 1975
    „In Tuchfühlung treten…“
  • Widder-Frau, Benazzi Raffael, expo 1975
    Widder-Frau
  • Sculpture II, Brunner Gottfried, expo 1975
    Sculpture II
  • Ago con Pelliccia, Paolucci Flavio, expo 1975
    Ago con Pelliccia
  • bild1, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1975
    bild1
  • Eber, Probst Jacob, expo 1975
    Eber
  • Colonne BTG, Candolfi Serge, expo 1975
    Colonne BTG
  • Durchbrochene Gestaltung, Fahrni Samuel, expo 1975
    Durchbrochene Gestaltung
  • Karyathide, Brütsch Friedrich, expo 1975
    Karyathide
  • 2-er Gruppe, Grunder Mariann, expo 1975
    2-er Gruppe
  • Grosses Rad, Küng René, expo 1975
    Grosses Rad
  • Nostalgie (Kuh), Pedretti Giuliano, expo 1975
    Nostalgie (Kuh)
  • „Monsieur X“, Berthoud Francis, expo 1975
    „Monsieur X“
  • Figur IV, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1975
    Figur IV
  • MAL 3-teilig, Fischli Hans, expo 1975
    MAL 3-teilig
  • Stele (4-teilig), Grunder Mariann, expo 1975
    Stele (4-teilig)
  • Hast noch der Berge ja…., Gerber Hans, expo 1975
    Hast noch der Berge ja….
  • 1975, Brand Heinz, expo 1975
    1975
  • Der Menschenbaum, Fischer Franz, expo 1975
    Der Menschenbaum
  • En Cuentro Volcado, Torres Manuel, expo 1975
    En Cuentro Volcado
  • Die Plattform Noah’s, Gerber Hans, expo 1975
    Die Plattform Noah’s
  • Drahtplastik, Bodmer Walter, expo 1975
    Drahtplastik
  • Windharfe, Küng René, expo 1975
    Windharfe
  • Mère et enfant, Gisiger Hansjörg, expo 1975
    Mère et enfant
  • Karyatide II, Stocker Ludwig, expo 1975
    Karyatide II
  • Grosser Boss, Luginbühl Bernhard, expo 1975
    Grosser Boss
  • bild2, Armleder John Michael, expo 1975
    bild2
  • Säule mit Kreuz, Balmer Lorenz, expo 1975
    Säule mit Kreuz
  • bild1, Kathariner Alois, expo 1975
    bild1
  • Barke, Egloff Anton, expo 1975
    Barke
  • Palais, Hefti Bernhard, expo 1975
    Palais
  • Begehbare Raumplastik, Pedretti Gian, expo 1975
    Begehbare Raumplastik
  • Figur I, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1975
    Figur I
  • Die Frau und die Schlange, Wyss Josef, expo 1975
    Die Frau und die Schlange
  • Grosse Stehende, Steiger-Crawford Flora, expo 1975
    Grosse Stehende
  • Rhythmus im Raum, Bill Max, expo 1975
    Rhythmus im Raum
  • Piano rhythmique, Linck Walter, expo 1975
    Piano rhythmique
  • bild3, Kathariner Alois, expo 1975
    bild3
  • Animus und Anima, D'Altri Arnold, expo 1975
    Animus und Anima
  • « Wo sich die Winde zum Spiele finden… », Hanselmann-Erne Adelheid, expo 1975
    « Wo sich die Winde zum Spiele finden… »
  • „Ist das wieder eine fatale Sommernacht…“, Weber Willy, expo 1975
    „Ist das wieder eine fatale Sommernacht…“
  • Rückhalt (Relief), Schaub Mischa, expo 1975
    Rückhalt (Relief)
  • Plastik auf rundem Sockel, Suter Paul, expo 1975
    Plastik auf rundem Sockel
  • Katharsis, D'Altri Arnold, expo 1975
    Katharsis
  • Eisenplastik II, Wiggli Oskar, expo 1975
    Eisenplastik II
  • Objekt I, Villiger Hannah, expo 1975
    Objekt I
  • Mémorial pour une Indienne d’Amazonie, Gisiger Hansjörg, expo 1975
    Mémorial pour une Indienne d’Amazonie
  • „Bitte kommen Sie doch …“, Brand Heinz, expo 1975
    „Bitte kommen Sie doch …“
  • Wind – Pendelrad, Witschi Werner, expo 1975
    Wind – Pendelrad
  • La Siciliana, Weiss Max, expo 1975
    La Siciliana
  • Sculpture I, Brunner Gottfried, expo 1975
    Sculpture I
  • Gruppe mit zwei Figuren, Aeppli Eva, expo 1975
    Gruppe mit zwei Figuren
  • Tubs C, Huber Hans Rudolf, expo 1975
    Tubs C
  • bild3, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1975
    bild3
  • Don Quichotte, Richier Germaine, expo 1975
    Don Quichotte
  • Redner, Fischer Franz, expo 1975
    Redner
  • bild2, Vetter Konrad, expo 1975
    bild2
  • Rythme, Emile Angéloz, expo 1975
    Rythme
  • Gartenobjekt, Roth Dieter, expo 1975
    Gartenobjekt
  • Vorprojekt künstlerische Gestaltung Kinderspital Bern, Megert Christian, expo 1975
    Vorprojekt künstlerische Gestaltung Kinderspital Bern
  • Enlacé, Torres Manuel, expo 1975
    Enlacé
  • Danielle, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1975
    Danielle
  • Le Dix, Hächler Peter, expo 1975
    Le Dix
  • bild2, Nussbaumer Lorenz, expo 1975
    bild2
  • Projekt Spielplastik M 1:10, Megert Christian, expo 1975
    Projekt Spielplastik M 1:10
  • Drei Figuren, Storrer Peter, expo 1975
    Drei Figuren
  • Cheops-Pyramide, Signer Roman, expo 1975
    Cheops-Pyramide
  • Metabolicium, Seibt Dieter, expo 1975
    Metabolicium
  • Lozziwurm, Pestalozzi Ivan, expo 1975
    Lozziwurm
  • Zak, Staub Josef, expo 1975
    Zak
  • 1974, Kretz Walter, expo 1975
    1974
  • Torso der Aphrodite, Hubacher Hermann, expo 1975
    Torso der Aphrodite
  • Sunrise, Fontana Annemie, expo 1975
    Sunrise
  • Element 100, Luginbühl Bernhard, expo 1975
    Element 100
  • Segelflächen-Skulptur Nr. 3, Pfenninger Kaspar, expo 1975
    Segelflächen-Skulptur Nr. 3
  • bild1, Vetter Konrad, expo 1975
    bild1
  • Toro, Rossi Remo, expo 1975
    Toro
  • Forme confiante, Ponçet Antoine, expo 1975
    Forme confiante
  • Saul und David, Zschokke Alex, expo 1975
    Saul und David
  • E.5.G., Duarte Angel, expo 1975
    E.5.G.
  • Lichtplastik, Metzler Kurt Laurenz, expo 1975
    Lichtplastik
  • Signaltor, Engler Jakob, expo 1975
    Signaltor
  • Sculpture, Ischi Pierre, expo 1975
    Sculpture
  • Chaos I, Tinguely Jean, expo 1975
    Chaos I
  • 1975, Brand Heinz, expo 1975
    1975
  • Holy Gost, Kohlbrenner Beat, expo 1975
    Holy Gost
  • Nathan, Tschannen Jürg, expo 1975
    Nathan
  • Findlingskopf, Kunz Peter, expo 1975
    Findlingskopf
  • Findling II, Pösinger Franz, expo 1975
    Findling II
  • Urbanocoleopter, Moser Wilfried, expo 1975
    Urbanocoleopter
  • Maternité, Rehmann Erwin, expo 1975
    Maternité
  • Hakencat, Travaglini Peter, expo 1975
    Hakencat
  • Buluu, Huser Theodor, expo 1975
    Buluu
  • bild1, Nussbaumer Lorenz, expo 1975
    bild1
  • Refuge, Müller Robert, expo 1975
    Refuge
  • Klappwürfel, Vetter Konrad, expo 1975
    Klappwürfel
  • Neugierig, Demut Trudi, expo 1975
    Neugierig
  • Janus-Mütter, D'Altri Arnold, expo 1975
    Janus-Mütter
  • PH-PH, Berger Ueli, expo 1975
    PH-PH
  • Marbre rouge de Vérone, Müller Manuel, expo 1975
    Marbre rouge de Vérone
  • Eisenplastik I, Wiggli Oskar, expo 1975
    Eisenplastik I
  • Kopfgruppe, Kunz Peter, expo 1975
    Kopfgruppe
  • Stilleben – nature morte, Egloff Anton, expo 1975
    Stilleben – nature morte
  • Die Verschwörung, Hotz Roland, expo 1975
    Die Verschwörung
  • Kampf, Flückiger Carlo, expo 1975
    Kampf
  • bild2, Kathariner Alois, expo 1975
    bild2
  • Modell zu Figur I (Mst 1:6), Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1975
    Modell zu Figur I (Mst 1:6)
  • Begehbares Figurenfeld, Hutter Schang, expo 1975
    Begehbares Figurenfeld
  • Wasserorgel, Werro Roland, expo 1975
    Wasserorgel
  • Eisenplastik 5, Odermatt Josef Maria, expo 1975
    Eisenplastik 5
  • Véronique, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1975
    Véronique
  • Torse, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1975
    Torse
  • Steinflügel, Sigrist Kurt, expo 1975
    Steinflügel
  • Colonne BTS, Candolfi Serge, expo 1975
    Colonne BTS
  • 1974, Kretz Walter, expo 1975
    1974
  • Säulenweib, Meister Peter, expo 1975
    Säulenweib
  • Komposition (Gegensätze), Teucher Otto, expo 1975
    Komposition (Gegensätze)
  • Hardsoftly – S 30, Bucher Carl, expo 1975
    Hardsoftly – S 30
  • „High-Time“ Kapelle, Siegenthaler Albert, expo 1975
    „High-Time“ Kapelle
  • Metallplastik, Mattioli Silvio, expo 1975
    Metallplastik
  • Figur V, Wimpheimer Willy, expo 1975
    Figur V
  • Projet Bienne, Huber Hans Rudolf, expo 1975
    Projet Bienne
  • Es ist nie zu spät für e Gartezwärg, Kunz Peter, expo 1975
    Es ist nie zu spät für e Gartezwärg
  • « Dimensionn unique » (Transmutation forme de terre) Unité II, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1975
    « Dimensionn unique » (Transmutation forme de terre) Unité II
  • Knochenkiste, Iseli Rolf, expo 1975
    Knochenkiste
  • Objet Soleure, Müller Robert, expo 1975
    Objet Soleure
  • Findling III, Pösinger Franz, expo 1975
    Findling III
  • Etagère, Spoerri Daniel, expo 1975
    Etagère
  • La Spirale, Oppenheim Meret, expo 1975
    La Spirale
  • Fanfare, Müller Robert, expo 1975
    Fanfare
  • Hermes-Brunnen, Oppenheim Meret, expo 1975
    Hermes-Brunnen
  • Torse d’adolescente, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1975
    Torse d’adolescente
  • Tinguely, Hofkunst Alfred, expo 1975
    Tinguely
  • En Cuentro Horizontal, Torres Manuel, expo 1975
    En Cuentro Horizontal
  • Einhorn, Müller Erich, expo 1975
    Einhorn
  • Monument der zukünftigen Vergangenheit, Meister Peter, expo 1975
    Monument der zukünftigen Vergangenheit
  • Findling I, Pösinger Franz, expo 1975
    Findling I
  • Athéna, Berthoud Francis, expo 1975
    Athéna
  • Isolquart, Granwehr Florin, expo 1975
    Isolquart
  • Fluidrose, Ponçet Antoine, expo 1975
    Fluidrose
  • Croce, Rossi Remo, expo 1975
    Croce
  • Figure Xa, Presset Henri, expo 1975
    Figure Xa
  • 3 Elemente (Reliefs), Imfeld Karl, expo 1975
    3 Elemente (Reliefs)
  • Lieudit II, Grossert Michaël, expo 1975
    Lieudit II
  • Schyterbeige, Eggenschwiler Franz, expo 1975
    Schyterbeige
  • bild2, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1975
    bild2
  • Figure XIIa, Presset Henri, expo 1975
    Figure XIIa
  • Holzsäule farbig, Kaufmann Walter, expo 1975
    Holzsäule farbig
  • Aldebaran, Ramseyer André, expo 1975
    Aldebaran
  • Fragrant piece (men, Ducimetière Gérald, expo 1975
    Fragrant piece (men
  • bild1, Armleder John Michael, expo 1975
    bild1