7th Swiss Sculpture Exhibition Biel

Rudolf Hadorn

On the Exhibition by the Kunstverein Biel (Biel Art Association)

Drawings. Sketches. Prints
The Biel Art Association invited sculptors who passed the Sculpture Exhibition jury's selection process to participate in a special exhibition presenting their drawings, sketches and prints, for which each one of them has been granted an area of 1.2 x 1.2m. After viewing the submitted works, a few artists, whose works seemed to be of particular interest, were given a somewhat larger space, also in order to create certain focal points to the exhibition. However, no works have been rejected that complied with our spatial requirements.

Art lovers have always been fascinated by drawings and prints by sculptors. Preliminary designs and sketches allow us to follow the genesis of a sculpture, and help us understand it more easily and in greater detail; visual representations of a sculpture evoke memories and enable us to see a piece from a different angle. On closer inspection, however, the relationship between a sculpture and its two-dimensional counterpart, be that a representational drawing or a print, is a great deal more complex. Our exhibition intends to reflect some of this complexity, which cannot be discussed here in any systematic detail, so that some hints will have to suffice.

Drawing is a much swifter process than creating a "graven image", which is why it is the medium of choice for rapid sketches and preliminary jottings-down. It only takes a short time to draw many attempts and experiments, and can therefore represent an idea in a more comprehensive manner and from various angles. However, the two-dimensional craft is not always the easier. Woodcuts by Robert Müller, for example, or copper engravings by Bernhard Luginbühl bear witness to the resistance of the same material that the sculptor uses. It is a resistance that must be subjugated to the artistic sense of shape; working with a block and burin is a different kind of "sculpture". On the other hand, the soft drawing pencil allows for an element of poetry whose immediacy would be difficult to emulate by sculptors working with metal such (Oskar Wiggli, Michel Engel).

The comparison of sculptural and graphic arts is of particular interest if the two genres are mutually dependent. One of the most interesting examples must be Bernhard Luginbühl, whose sculptural and graphic arts have achieved completely autonomous, independent status while yet being mutually related in the most exciting manner. A Luginbühl drawing may well be a conceptual "spin-off" of one of his sculptures, but may resurface in a later three-dimensional work. Conversely, formal sculptural ideas may expand into something much freer and more audacious, and hence entirely new. His sculptures and prints in the "Tischlein-deck-dich" (Table, Set Yourself) series are particularly good examples of this interrelationship.

Franz Eggenschwiler's oeuvre represents a different type of interrelationship between sculpture and graphic art. The visual contents of his woodcuts are often completely different from those of his objects and sculptures. Nonetheless, they are connected by a common idea that is but inadequately described by the phrase "poetic alienation of the everyday". Moreover, both genres are characterised by the same craftsmanlike attention and dedication to the material.

A contrary process that would merit similar interest can only be hinted at in our exhibition: drawings and paintings whose internal development calls for a three-dimensional treatment; sculptures that literally emerge from the sheet. Spescha's work would be a good example here. It is a development that could be documented in the opposite direction, in Wilfried Moser's work, for example, who was a painter for many years before creating large-scale sculptures to successfully develop his spatial experience, but has now returned to the painted image (rocky landscapes) into which he transfers his three-dimensional experience. From here, the arc vaults across to Wolfgang Häckel's "three-dimensional drawings", which scarcely require the sculptural treatment because their irony is probably best expressed in drawings.

Our exhibition intends to stimulate discoveries, comparisons, reflections – in Biel, the hometown of Swiss Sculpture, perhaps also on whether it might not make excellent sense for a future Municipal Museum in the context of Biel's Neuhaus Foundation to specialise in sculptors' drawings and sketches.
Rudolf Hadorn

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




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