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




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