7th Swiss Sculpture Exhibition Biel

M.Ziegler: Homage

The "Skulpturenplatz" (Sculpture Promenade) in Biel-Bienne — homage to Hans Aeschbacher

The special exhibition of nine steles by Hans Aeschbacher launches a new institution for Biel. Every year, the beautiful and generously appointed location by the mouth of the Suze river is to see the exhibition of an invited sculptor. The artist will be given the opportunity of presenting a sizable group of works in a much-frequented public space.

In years when the Sculpture Exhibition with its large selection of very recent works takes place, the "Skulpturenplatz" (Sculpture Promenade) may, as this year, hold a small retrospective. In the intermediate years, however, artists should be allowed to show their most recent works. Exposure to the public will give the artist valuable feedback on his work. However, the most stimulating and inspiring aspect will most likely be the arrangement of his works in a new environment.

Connoisseurs and passers-by alike will have the opportunity to engage with these sculptures over the course of a year, seeing them in various conditions of lighting and climate, and in various seasons and personal moods. The fact that the viewer will encounter a group of sculptures over an extended period of time will enable him to think more deeply about the themes and issues addressed by the artist and his works, and perhaps also to overcome some prejudices. Conversely, the annual rotation of exhibitions should prevent the public from becoming jaded and risk overlooking the works of art.

It has become a tradition for Biel to hold a Swiss Sculpture Exhibition every five years. Is it not, therefore, logical to establish an institution that will grant sculpture and sculptors an increased and continuous presence in this city? We are certain that the newly-created institution will contribute towards revitalising the promenade. Culture for pleasure, for the experience, for study or consumption, as a talking point or, quite simply, as a presence – that is what is to be found on the banks of the Suze.

We were able to discuss the exhibition and the selection of his works with Hans Aeschbacher before he died, recently, at the age of 74. And so, the last exhibition he planned has been transformed into a memorial show. Hans Aeschbacher was one of the most significant Swiss sculptors, a teacher and mentor of countless young colleagues, and for decades an important driving force whose influence can be seen everywhere. We asked him to inaugurate the "Skulpturenplatz" with his works. He restricted his selection to steles and stele-like figures hewn in stone. The group of works presented in Biel shows a consistent development in Aeschbacher's work, from the realistic fullness and voluptuous beauty of the female form to the abstraction as a flowing contour line and on to stele-like, disembodied, uprising sheaves of harsh and hard-edged stone.

There is no doubt that the unique quality of Hans Aeschbacher's oeuvre is due to his intimate relationship to stone. He always endeavoured to exploit the material's full potential. Its weight fascinated him as much as transcending the heaviness. And there are few better examples in contemporary sculpture of the artist's ability to render the sensuality of stone surfaces than Aeschbacher's "Venus Asylstrasse 23". In his lava figures the quality of the material becomes a formal principle: "re-creation" becomes pure three-dimensional creation. The stone surrenders its hidden life. In his later steles presented here the ribs, the "light-edged strings", are given a voice. Aeschbacher attempts to take the weight out of the oppressive stone.

Hans Aeschbacher participated in each and every one of the past Swiss Sculpture Exhibitions. This is why we are especially pleased that his presence also graces the current show. Finally, we owe a debt of gratitude to the owners for lending us their treasures for this exhibition.
Maurice Ziegler
Translation from german © Margret Powell-Joss




  • Projet Bienne II 1980, Huber Hans Rudolf, expo 1980
    Projet Bienne II 1980
  • Figur III, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur III
  • Komposition, Teucher Otto, expo 1980
    Komposition
  • 79/30, Mauboulès Jean, expo 1980
    79/30
  • Elch, Weiss Max, expo 1980
    Elch
  • Der Rezipient als Bestandteil, Eberle Urs, expo 1980
    Der Rezipient als Bestandteil
  • Arbeit III, Baviera Michael, expo 1980
    Arbeit III
  • Déméter, Perrin Fred, expo 1980
    Déméter
  • Fig. XIX A, Presset Henri, expo 1980
    Fig. XIX A
  • 10/78, Niederer Heinz, expo 1980
    10/78
  • Kreis-Stele I, Engler Jakob, expo 1980
    Kreis-Stele I
  • Werk Nr. 04.07.79 B. 1979, Mattes Rudolf, expo 1980
    Werk Nr. 04.07.79 B. 1979
  • Gruppenbild, Engel Michel, expo 1980
    Gruppenbild
  • Mère et enfant, Ferrario Aldo, expo 1980
    Mère et enfant
  • Der leere Raum, Blättler Rudolf, expo 1980
    Der leere Raum
  • Sculpture 76 J, Wiggli Oskar, expo 1980
    Sculpture 76 J
  • Komposition, Teucher Otto, expo 1980
    Komposition
  • Video blind piece, Minkoff Gérald, expo 1980
    Video blind piece
  • Kopf aus Hauterive, Kunz Peter, expo 1980
    Kopf aus Hauterive
  • Biel Luminis, Fucktory Biel, expo 1980
    Biel Luminis
  • Homo-Sapiens, Hotz Roland, expo 1980
    Homo-Sapiens
  • Licht/Schatten Objekte, Nyffenegger Samuel, expo 1980
    Licht/Schatten Objekte
  • Rasterteppich, Bauer Heiner, expo 1980
    Rasterteppich
  • Ohne Titel, Raboud André, expo 1980
    Ohne Titel
  • Drei Obeliske aus dem Pentagondodekaëder, Storrer Peter, expo 1980
    Drei Obeliske aus dem Pentagondodekaëder
  • Figur I, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur I
  • Venus de Six-Fours, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Venus de Six-Fours
  • Raumplastik, Mattioli Silvio, expo 1980
    Raumplastik
  • Ohne Titel, Blättler Rudolf, expo 1980
    Ohne Titel
  • Ein Schatten zwischen Sein und Schein, Schwarz Martin, expo 1980
    Ein Schatten zwischen Sein und Schein
  • Biel Luminis, Fucktory Biel, expo 1980
    Biel Luminis
  • Figur II, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur II
  • Sans titre, Bonnot François, expo 1980
    Sans titre
  • Annabello, Kohlbrenner Beat, expo 1980
    Annabello
  • Grab, Brodwolf Jürgen, expo 1980
    Grab
  • Feuer, Wiedmer Paul, expo 1980
    Feuer
  • Vertschaupet, Hutter Schang, expo 1980
    Vertschaupet
  • Wiesenfloss (3 Aufnahmen), Stocker Norbert, expo 1980
    Wiesenfloss (3 Aufnahmen)
  • Aktionsplastik, Lüchinger Roland, expo 1980
    Aktionsplastik
  • Venus Asylstrasse 21, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Venus Asylstrasse 21
  • Sculpture 77 D, Wiggli Oskar, expo 1980
    Sculpture 77 D
  • JURA, Berger Ueli, expo 1980
    JURA
  • Entelechie 1 + 2, Stocker Ludwig, expo 1980
    Entelechie 1 + 2
  • Zusammenarbeit Urs Suter, Vögeli Walter, expo 1980
    Zusammenarbeit Urs Suter
  • Rencontre XXX, Torres Manuel, expo 1980
    Rencontre XXX
  • F. Y 3 – 1976, Bolomey Roger, expo 1980
    F. Y 3 – 1976
  • „Laa mi nöd gheiä“, Arbi (Bechtler Ruedi), expo 1980
    „Laa mi nöd gheiä“
  • Poisson femme, Polliand Daniel, expo 1980
    Poisson femme
  • Pavillonskulptur aus 6 Rundhölzern, Bill Max, expo 1980
    Pavillonskulptur aus 6 Rundhölzern
  • Microcosme New York IV B, De Montaigu Charles, expo 1980
    Microcosme New York IV B
  • Elément en 3 pièces, Emile Angéloz, expo 1980
    Elément en 3 pièces
  • Sky-Lab II: ein Environnement, Etcetera Ateliergemeinschaft, expo 1980
    Sky-Lab II: ein Environnement
  • Phönix, Moser René, expo 1980
    Phönix
  • Chromstahl, Talman Paul, expo 1980
    Chromstahl
  • Figur I, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur I
  • Eisenplastik geschmiedet, Odermatt Josef Maria, expo 1980
    Eisenplastik geschmiedet
  • Mondaffe, Eggenschwiler Franz, expo 1980
    Mondaffe
  • Baalbek, Bucher Carl, expo 1980
    Baalbek
  • La concièrge, Polliand Daniel, expo 1980
    La concièrge
  • Nombre 58 = Esther, Hess Esther, expo 1980
    Nombre 58 = Esther
  • Fanfan II, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1980
    Fanfan II
  • La Perception visuelle en tant qu’art, Fischer Walter, expo 1980
    La Perception visuelle en tant qu’art
  • Paravent, Suter Hugo, expo 1980
    Paravent
  • Zeichen, Büchi René, expo 1980
    Zeichen
  • Rutschbahn, Weber Bruno, expo 1980
    Rutschbahn
  • Wiesenfloss (Projektskizze), Stocker Norbert, expo 1980
    Wiesenfloss (Projektskizze)
  • Béatrice, Schwarz Heinz, expo 1980
    Béatrice
  • Kardinal, Luginbühl Bernhard, expo 1980
    Kardinal
  • Euphorium, Kocher Lis, expo 1980
    Euphorium
  • Objekt III, Streiff Matthias, expo 1980
    Objekt III
  • Don Quichotte III, Zeller André-Paul, expo 1980
    Don Quichotte III
  • 9/78, Niederer Heinz, expo 1980
    9/78
  • Standortbestimmung, Brand Heinz, expo 1980
    Standortbestimmung
  • Microcosme New York III, De Montaigu Charles, expo 1980
    Microcosme New York III
  • Accumulation no 792, Delieutraz Edouard, expo 1980
    Accumulation no 792
  • Olymp, Metzler Kurt Laurenz, expo 1980
    Olymp
  • La fleur du mal, Gerstner Karl, expo 1980
    La fleur du mal
  • Wandplastik, Mattioli Silvio, expo 1980
    Wandplastik
  • Schwebendes Ringpendel, Witschi Werner, expo 1980
    Schwebendes Ringpendel
  • Arbre, Candolfi Serge, expo 1980
    Arbre
  • Kleines Bronzerelief VI – 1976, Rehmann Erwin, expo 1980
    Kleines Bronzerelief VI – 1976
  • Stille Stelle, Fischli Hans, expo 1980
    Stille Stelle
  • Flugkörper, Pedretti Erica, expo 1980
    Flugkörper
  • Licht/Schatten Objekte, Nyffenegger Samuel, expo 1980
    Licht/Schatten Objekte
  • Die Weisen, Weber Bruno, expo 1980
    Die Weisen
  • PARADISE LOST, Siegenthaler Albert, expo 1980
    PARADISE LOST
  • Agression, Mariotti Yves, expo 1980
    Agression
  • 2 Trees, Gruber-Stieger Jaqueline, expo 1980
    2 Trees
  • Kunstauktion im Marzilibad Bern, Jordi Ernst Kretz Walter Schneider Jimmy Fred Vögeli Walter Suter Urs, expo 1980
    Kunstauktion im Marzilibad Bern
  • Weiblicher Toso, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Weiblicher Toso
  • see, Weber Willy, expo 1980
    see
  • Autoportrait, Berthoud Francis, expo 1980
    Autoportrait
  • Licht – Bild – Raum, Fricker Hansruedi, expo 1980
    Licht – Bild – Raum
  • Schlafwandler, Pfenninger Kaspar, expo 1980
    Schlafwandler
  • Ferienlandschaft, Buchli Rudolf, expo 1980
    Ferienlandschaft
  • Weibliches Idol, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Weibliches Idol
  • Ouverture sur rencontre, Torres Manuel, expo 1980
    Ouverture sur rencontre
  • 5 Bielerrugel, Benazzi Raffael, expo 1980
    5 Bielerrugel
  • Zentrum, Büchi René, expo 1980
    Zentrum
  • L’Uomo nel Tempo, Paolucci Flavio, expo 1980
    L’Uomo nel Tempo
  • Environnement mit Performance, Gfeller Reinhard, expo 1980
    Environnement mit Performance
  • Seelenführer Anubis, Conne Louis, expo 1980
    Seelenführer Anubis
  • Objekt I, Streiff Matthias, expo 1980
    Objekt I
  • Traktor und div. Materialien, Tinguely Jean, expo 1980
    Traktor und div. Materialien
  • Totenschlitten, Sigrist Kurt, expo 1980
    Totenschlitten
  • Stahl-Konstruktion XIIX, Altherr Jürg, expo 1980
    Stahl-Konstruktion XIIX
  • Projet Dimension Uniques, Transmutation Forme et Terre, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1980
    Projet Dimension Uniques, Transmutation Forme et Terre
  • Baum und Welt, Aeberli Matthias, expo 1980
    Baum und Welt
  • Wasserspiel 37, Fontana Annemie, expo 1980
    Wasserspiel 37
  • Profil eines Fluges, Egloff Anton, expo 1980
    Profil eines Fluges
  • Sans titre, Bonnot François, expo 1980
    Sans titre
  • F. Y. 26 – 1979, Bolomey Roger, expo 1980
    F. Y. 26 – 1979
  • Teatraedre, Ischi Pierre, expo 1980
    Teatraedre
  • E 1 P, Duarte Angel, expo 1980
    E 1 P
  • Figur II, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur II
  • Explosion, Wirz Tobias, expo 1980
    Explosion
  • Espace Nord-Sud, Fontana Dominique, expo 1980
    Espace Nord-Sud
  • See Stück, Ruenzi Fritz, expo 1980
    See Stück
  • Rostiges Eisen um Farbkreuz, Bürkler David, expo 1980
    Rostiges Eisen um Farbkreuz
  • Lächelnd sah er aufs Meer hinaus, Meier Dieter, expo 1980
    Lächelnd sah er aufs Meer hinaus
  • Reflexion über die Gegen-Stände, Grossert Michaël, expo 1980
    Reflexion über die Gegen-Stände
  • Grosse Mondleiter, Küng René, expo 1980
    Grosse Mondleiter
  • Figur I, Wimpheimer Willy, expo 1980
    Figur I
  • PARADISE LOST, Siegenthaler Albert, expo 1980
    PARADISE LOST
  • L’Ile aux oiseaux, Camesi Gianfredo, expo 1980
    L’Ile aux oiseaux
  • Windrad Esche, Küng René, expo 1980
    Windrad Esche
  • Fût no 793, Delieutraz Edouard, expo 1980
    Fût no 793
  • Scheiterhaufen, Hächler Peter, expo 1980
    Scheiterhaufen
  • Borg, Bucher Heidi, expo 1980
    Borg
  • Vitrine mit 10 Zinkblechmodellen, Burger Walter, expo 1980
    Vitrine mit 10 Zinkblechmodellen
  • Der Papalagi, Seibt Dieter, expo 1980
    Der Papalagi
  • Marmor-Block, Meister Peter, expo 1980
    Marmor-Block
  • Figure debout, Ferrario Aldo, expo 1980
    Figure debout
  • Objekt II, Streiff Matthias, expo 1980
    Objekt II
  • Eisenplastik geschmiedet, Odermatt Josef Maria, expo 1980
    Eisenplastik geschmiedet
  • Fils, Winteler Anna, expo 1980
    Fils
  • Entwicklungsreihe (6 Steine), Grunder Mariann, expo 1980
    Entwicklungsreihe (6 Steine)
  • Objekt in der Schüss, Signer Roman, expo 1980
    Objekt in der Schüss
  • Boden – Raum – Schnittpunkt I, Haldemann Walter, expo 1980
    Boden – Raum – Schnittpunkt I
  • Poetree, Buchwalder Ernst, expo 1980
    Poetree
  • Schiff, Sigrist Richard, expo 1980
    Schiff
  • Projekt Zeitraum, Sigrist Kurt, expo 1980
    Projekt Zeitraum
  • Quebec, Ischi Pierre, expo 1980
    Quebec
  • Figur I, Aeschbacher Hans, expo 1980
    Figur I
  • Liber, Werro Roland, expo 1980
    Liber
  • Kelch symmetrisch, Schneider Jimmy Fred, expo 1980
    Kelch symmetrisch
  • Les 12 signes du zodiaque, Aeppli Eva, expo 1980
    Les 12 signes du zodiaque
  • Allee, Häckel Wolfgang, expo 1980
    Allee
  • Modell für eine Plastik, Megert Christian, expo 1980
    Modell für eine Plastik
  • Die Baumfee und ihre Tänzerin, Balmer Hans, expo 1980
    Die Baumfee und ihre Tänzerin
  • Diagonale Faltung, Staub Josef, expo 1980
    Diagonale Faltung