7th Swiss Sculpture Exhibition Biel

Ziegler/Tschumi: Introduction

About the Exhibition 

Five years have passed since the previous Swiss Sculpture Exhibition (SPA) in Biel. In this time general exhibition activities have increased enormously, to a seemingly inflationary degree and endeavours to present art in the most attractive and consumer-friendly manner occasionally veer towards the merely spectacular.

What figure will the SPA cut in this changing landscape? By remaining true to some traditions, such as our specific focus on the artist's personality and concerns; and by continuing to give the exhibition the widest possible scope, not applying selection criteria too narrow-mindedly, we trust that we have managed to preserve the Exhibition's special character.

We consider it our most important mission to provide a platform for the artists to present their latest three-dimensional works – even very large ones – to a wider audience. The exhibition will achieve this task; this much can be deduced from the fact that every other participating artist presents a piece created especially for this event.

To many sculptors the SPA provides an opportunity to show new developments in their oeuvre, while others can meet a wider audience for the first time. For each and every participant, it will be stimulating to see his own works in a new environment, and in juxtaposition to works by a considerable number of colleagues.

To visitors from Switzerland and abroad, the exhibition shall provide a large-scale overview of three-dimensional art created in our country over the course of the past five years. This is an opportunity to see new works by already-known artists, and to discover new sculptors.

Some 1000 works have been submitted by over 300 artists; no direct invitations were sent out. The Jury consisted of four artists representing various tendencies and regions, as well as the two exhibition directors. 171 works by 120 artists have been selected to ensure representativity, variety and a high quality.

The dimensions of about one third of all the works shown here are very large, some of them monumental. The trend towards large dimensions – also to be noted at the international level – contrasts starkly with developments in painting, where the tendency seems to be towards greater intimacy.

In comparison with the previous SPA of 1975, we deem it noteworthy that more artists have reverted to stone and wood while the use of synthetics and concrete has become less common. A strikingly large number of artists have used natural elements such as trees, water and air, and have focused on environmental issues.

In addition to the SPA 1980, a permanent sculpture promenade is being established at Biel's Strandboden, a popular, park-like area on the shore of lake Biel. This is where each year one artist is to be given the opportunity of presenting a larger group of his works. The "Skulpturenplatz" (Sculpture Promenade) will be inaugurated with a retrospective of stone sculptures by Hans Aeschbacher, the recently-deceased Swiss sculptor.

To complement and extend our event, the Kunstverein Biel (Biel Art Association) has organised an exhibition of drawings and graphic art by all participating artists. It will no doubt improve our understanding of the sculptures if we can see how the artist has transferred his visions and ideas to the two-dimensional context. The fact that many sculptors are excellent draughtsmen lends great autonomy to this special exhibition.

In continuation of a project initiated in 1975 to document "Art in Public Space", this year's exhibition will contain some examples of this important topic that is relevant to sculpture and the "environment", among them the outcome of the Swiss contest for the artistic decoration of the new Gymnasium (High School). The works by artist-students of the Berufsschule (Vocational School), presented as projects in 1975, are now nearing completion and are already accessible to the public.

During our Exhibition, a group of artists will be working in open-air studios, or hold events in the exhibition grounds, giving visitors the opportunity of meeting them in person.

Even more than during past exhibitions, we want to consider the wishes of the general public and the situation of Biel. In a simple "Schule des Sehens" (School of Visual Perception), interested visitors may find out about some elementary rules as regards the viewing of sculptural art.

In cooperation with the city of Biel's Department of Culture and several of Biel's cultural organisations, some accompanying events have been organised to enrich our Exhibition and connect it with the city's cultural activities.

In the run-up to our Exhibition, a considerable number of classes from Biel's schools have worked on projects addressing the topic of "Wir leben in unserer Stadt" (We live in our city). We do hope that these projects have raised the awareness of both students and parents as regards their daily environments, and that they may have stimulated the creativity of our city's inhabitants.

During the previous Sculpture Exhibition of 1975, various projects concerning our city's "livability" were realised, such as the pedestrian walkway at Mühlebrücke; and the removal of car-parks from the squares in the Old Town. This year we have again endeavoured to suggest and implement urbanistic changes proposed by artists to prove that artistic ideas and works can have an immediate, positive impact on our quality of life. Sadly, our hopes have been dashed to realise a low-cost project initiated by the Municipal Head Gardener to transform the gardens to the south of the Neuhaus Foundation into a public recreation park and area. In the context of this year's Sculpture Exhibition, we also suggested holding a contest for the design and conservation of Biel's Bahnhofplatz (Station Square), which by now may well be a unique example of its kind in Switzerland. While our suggestion was received with interest, we deeply regret to say that it was postponed to an indefinite point in the future. We do hope that it will be possible to preserve the original function of this square, which is of great significance to the city of Biel.

We are, however, very happy to acknowledge the generous support of the Direction of the HTL (Higher Technical College) and the Municipal Authorities as well as the Neuhaus Foundation and the Lyceum Club, which has enabled us to use some essential interior spaces.

It is the SPA Exhibition organisers' earnest wish to present to our visitors an impressive overview of the diversity and high quality of sculptural art in Switzerland. If this goal has been achieved yet again in 1980, we owe it to the participating artists and their often extraordinary efforts.
Maurice Ziegler / Alain Tschumi, Artistic Directors, SPA

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




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