Aargauer Kunsthaus | Working with Contemporary Art

Working with Contemporary Art

Collection 24

The dynamic social developments of the last two decades have had a significant impact not only on the art world, but also on museum work. The collection publication Aargauer Kunsthaus – Mit Gegenwartskunst umgehen (2024) addresses the changes in the way contemporary art is handled and sheds light on the changes in exhibition and collection operations from various perspectives since the opening of the building extension of the Aargauer Kunsthaus in 2003.

Ten authors from different disciplines each approach the museum and the collection with a specific focus and include the voices of individual artists. With a view to the long-term visualisation of the rich art holdings, the book conveys work-specific knowledge on context, creation, technique and conservation and thus makes a current contribution to the interweaving of theory and practice.

The book is digitally enhanced by audiovisual contributions that selectively supplement the various facets of the works or exhibitions mentioned in the respective texts. The video contributions are organised according to the chapters in the book.

The works from the collection labelled in the book have a description of the work in the online collection.

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Publication

Aargauer Kunsthaus – Mit Gegenwartskunst umgehen (in German) CHF 49.–

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Edition

Günzburger Michael. Nimm Wind mit, 2023 CHF 850.–

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On the transformation of art museums. A brief history of current challenges. To the essay by Bärbel Küster

Selected photographs show how the architecture of the Aargau Kunsthaus changed between 1959 and 2022. – Sources: 1. Neues Kunsthaus in Aarau, 1959, Bruno Sulzer © StAAG/RBA1-1-13883_3 2. Wendeltreppe im Kunsthaus Aarau, 1959, Historisches Museum Baden, Foto Werner Nefflen, Q.01.10162B, CC BY-SA 4.0 3. Kunsthaus, Einrichten, Aufhängen und Aufstellen von Bildern und Plastiken, 1959, Historisches Museum Baden, Foto Werner Nefflen, Q.01.9689A, CC BY-SA 4.0 4. Kunsthaus Aarau mit Bibliothekstrakt von Norden, Auftrag Loepfe & Hänni Architekten, Baden, 1959, Historisches Museum Baden, Foto Werner Nefflen, Q.01.10208A, CC BY-SA 4.0 5. Das obere Stockwerk im Kunsthaus Aarau bei der Einweihung 1959, Hans Gerber © StAAG/RBA1-1-13870_5 6. Die Wendeltreppe im Kunsthaus Aarau, 1959, Hans Gerber © StAAG/RBA1-1-13870_4 7. Kunsthaus Aarau, Blick vom Ausstellungsraum zum Regierungsgebäude, 1995, Historisches Museum Baden, Foto Werner Nefflen, Q.01.10214C, CC BY-SA 4.0 8. Kunsthaus Aarau, Ausstellungsräume Parterre, 1959, Historisches Museum Baden, Foto Werner Nefflen, Q.01.10214A, CC BY-SA 4.0 9. Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau-Eingang vor der Erweiterung, 1999, Foto: Thomas Neeser, Zürich 10 – 12.: Aargauer Kunsthaus im Umbau 2001–2003, Bild: © Herzog & de Meuron 13. Aargauer Kunsthaus mit Erweiterungsbau, 2003, Foto: Heinrich Helfenstein, Zürich 14. Huber Bibliothek im Untergeschoss, Foto: Jörg Müller, Aarau 15 –18: Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2014, Fotos: Georg Aerni 19. Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2022/23, Foto: Till Forrer – © Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

The Aargauer Kunsthaus through the ages: 1959 to 2022

Selected images show the Aargauer Kunsthaus from the renovation to the reopening in September 2023

Sources: 1. – 7.: Aufnahmen während der Sanierung, Mai bis August 2023, Fotos: René Rötheli 8. – 14.: Aufnahmen des sanierten Kunsthauses mit neu gestaltetem Foyer und dem Freiraum im Untergeschoss, 2023, Fotos: René Rötheli 15. – 17.: Aufnahmen der Feierlichkeiten zur Wiedereröffnung am 31.8.2023, Fotos: Alex Spichale

Renovation and reopening of the Aargauer Kunsthaus in 2023

Selected images show the Aargauer Kunsthaus from the renovation to the reopening in September 2023

On the move. On the contemporary approach to the collection. On the essay by Simona Ciuccio

The video documents the creation of the work in the rooms of the Aargauer Kunsthaus, during the installation of the exhibition Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition, at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, 15.5. – 7.8.2022. The artist talks about the background to the work and the dialogue with other works from the collection of the Aargauer Kunsthaus.

Sources: Sources: Video, created as part of the exhibition Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition, at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, 15 May – 7 August 2022, during the installation: Marc Bauer (*1975) Sphinx, 1931, 1935/1947, 2014 Kohle auf Wand, Bleistift, Buntstift auf Papier Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau © Marc Bauer Marc Bauer im Interview, 2022 Produktion: ullmann.photography

Marc Bauer. Sphinx 1931, 1935/1947

The video gives an insight into the onomatopoeic video installation.

Sources: Sources: Video, created as part of the exhibition Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition, at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, 15 May – 7 August 2022, : Christian Marclay (*1955) Surround Sounds, 2014/15 4-Kanal-Videoinstallation, Farbe, ohne Ton Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau © Christian Marclay Produktion: Severin Kuhn Copyright: Aargauer Kunsthaus

Christian Marclay. Surround Sounds

The video gives an insight into the onomatopoeic video installation.

A present view of the past for the future. To the essay by Elisabeth Bronfen

Views of the exhibition A woman is a woman is a woman… A history of the female artists at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, from 27.8.2022 – 15.1.2023 with works by:

1. Hanna Villiger, Binia Bill 2. Hanna Villiger 3. Katrin Freisager 4. Miriam Cahn 5. Ella Lanz 6. Ina Barfuss 7. Heidi Bucher 8. Garance Grenacher, Annemarie Balmer, Ilse Weber 9. Ilse Weber 10. Olivia Etter, Ella Lanz 11. Olivia Etter 12. Dorothy Iannone 13. Donatella Maranta, Doris Stauffer 14. Doris Stauffer 15. Rosina Kuhn, Pipilotti Rist, Barbara Davatz, Muda Mathis 16. Muda Mathis 17. Oliva Etter, Ilse Weber 18. Oliva Etter, Suzanne Baumann 19. Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Sonja Sekula 20. Sophie Taeuber-Arp Photos: Zoe Tempest, Zurich Copyrights: Works by Doris Stauffer © Estate of Doris Stauffer Works by Hanna Villiger © THE ESTATE OF HANNAH VILLIGER Foundation For all other works © Artists and their legal successors

Exhibition views. A woman is a woman is a woman ...

Views of the exhibition A woman is a woman is a woman… A history of the female artists at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, from 27.8.2022 – 15.1.2023 with works by:

In this audiovisual compilation, guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen explains the chapter “Transformed Bodies” of the exhibition A woman is a woman is a woman… A history of the female artists (27.8.2022 – 15.1.2023) at the Aargauer Kunsthaus. She also talks to art historians Jacqueline Burkhardt and Griselda Pollock about women artists’ engagement with the female body.

Sources: Video excerpt from the exhibition tour with guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen, 24.10.2022. Camera and production: Severin Kuhn Audio excerpt from the conversation between art historian Jacqueline Burkhardt and guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen, 20.11.2022. Photo and audio recording: ullmann.photography Excerpt from the public conversation between guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen and art historian Griselda Pollock, 20.10.2022. Production: ullmann.photography

Transformed body images

On the occasion of the exhibition A woman is a woman is a woman… A history of the female artists at the Aargauer Kunsthaus (27 August 2022 – 15 January 2023), guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen talks to art historian Griselda Pollock about the importance of intimate spaces and places of work for women artists during a tour and in a Zoom conversation.

Sources: Video excerpt from the exhibition tour with guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen, 24.10.2022. Camera and production: Severin Kuhn Excerpt from the public conversation between guest curator Elisabeth Bronfen and art historian Griselda Pollock, 20.10.2022. Production: Ullmann.Photography

From women's room to studio

A journey through the history of the exhibitions from 2003 to 2023. To the essay by Katrin Weilenmann

The exhibition Swiss Pop Art. Forms and Tendencies of Pop Art in Switzerland (7 May – 5 November 2017) was one of the major survey exhibitions at the Aargauer Kunsthaus. This video gives an insight into the media coverage at the time.

Source material: Sequence from the report A Pop Art Revival in Aargau from the television programme 10vor10, broadcast on 10 May 2017 on Swiss television. A contribution by: Natascha Schwyn ©2017-2018 SRF, licensed by Telepool GmbH Zurich Sequence from the Swisslos Fund contribution “Swiss Pop Art” exhibition Aargauer Kunsthaus AG, broadcast on 21 September 2017 on Swiss television. With Madeleine Schuppli, former director, Aargauer Kunsthaus

A look back at the Swiss «Pop Art Revival»

The exhibition Surrealism Switzerland (1.9.2018 – 2.1.2019) was one of the major survey exhibitions at the Aargauer Kunsthaus. This video gives an insight into the media coverage at the time.

Source material: Sequence from the news report Surrealism: Between Heaven and Hell, broadcast on Swiss television on 10 May 2017. With Peter Fischer, guest curator A contribution by: Bähram Alagheband

A look back at «Surrealismus Switzerland»

The exhibition Surrealism Switzerland (1.9.2018 – 2.1.2019) was one of the major survey exhibitions at the Aargauer Kunsthaus. This video gives an insight into the media coverage at the time.

The Aargauer Kunsthaus in the 21st century. Expansion, opening and participation. The chronology of Anouchka Panchard

Selected photos from 20 years of mediation activities reflect encounters with different people, works of art, subject areas and artistic techniques.

Source material: Impressions from 20 years of mediation activities: pictures of workshops, events, guided tours or holiday courses. Chronologically organised from 2006 to 2023. photos: ullmann.photography and Aargauer Kunsthaus

Impressions from 20 years of mediation

Selected photos from 20 years of mediation activities reflect encounters with different people, works of art, subject areas and artistic techniques.

The exhibition series Flowers to Art. Floral interpretations of works from the collection celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2024. Photographs of works from the collection with floral interpretations, installation work, vernissages and educational programmes offer a look back from 2013 to 2023.

Source material: Views and impressions of the exhibition series Flowers for Art. Floral interpretations of works from the collection from 2014 to 2023: Photographs of collection works and their floral interpretations, as well as photographs of installation work, vernissages and mediation offers, arranged chronologically. Photos: David Aebi, Burgdorf, Alex Spichale, Ulmann.Photography and Aargauer Kunsthaus 1. floral interpretation: Heidi Huber, works by Ferdinand Hodler, photo: David Aebi, 2014 2. floral interpretation: Urs Bergmann, Zurich, work by Paul Camenisch, photo: David Aebi, 2014 3. floral interpretation: Marc Müller + Nicole Matter, Uster, work by Franz Gertsch, photo: David Aebi, 2015 4. vernissage, photo: David Aebi, 2015 5. Floral interpretation: Priska Trautwein, Lucerne | Martina Kistler, Beinwil / Freiamt, photo: David Aebi, 2016 6. Construction of the floral interpretation by Philipp von Arx, photo: David Aebi, 2016 7. Vernissage, photo: David Aebi, 2017 8. Floral interpretation by Myrta Frohofer, Unterengstringen, photo: David Aebi, 2018 9. Floral interpretation: Susan Rüsch, Uitikon, photo: David Aebi, 2018 10. installation of the floral interpretation by Sonja Egli, Schwyz, work by Christine Streuli, photo: David Aebi, 2019 11. installation of the floral interpretation by Peter Schwitter, Buochs, work by Silvie and Chérif Defraoui, photo: David Aebi, 2019 12. floral interpretation: Marco Weisskopf, Zurich, work by Hermann Scherer, photo: David Aebi, 2020 13. mediation event in front of the work by Alexander Calame, 2020, photo: Ullmann.Photography 14. Floral interpretation: Milena Seeberger, Knonau, photo: Alex Spichale, 2020 15. Installation of the floral interpretation by Larissa Kopp, Sursee, work by Ugo Rondinone, photo: David Aebi, 2020 16. Installation of the floral interpretation by Moira Müller-Rosselli, Arbedo, photo: David Aebi, 2020 17. Floral interpretation: Lisa Pellanda, Losone, work by Daniela Keiser, photo: David Aebi, 2023 18. Floral interpretation: Marco Weisskopf, Oberhasli, work: Louise Catherine Breslau, photo: David Aebi, 2023 For all images: © Artists and their legal successors

10 years of Flowers to Art

Curating and conserving variability. To the essay by Hanna B. Hölling

The video shows the structure of Urs Fischer’s collection in fast motion and offers unusual insights and perspectives. It was created as part of the exhibition Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, 15 May – 7 August 2022.

Source material: Video, created as part of the exhibition Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, 15 May – 7 August 2022: Urs Fischer (*1973) The Intelligence of Flowers, 2003-2005 Cut in wall, with offset section Dimensions variable Aargauer Kunsthaus / Donation Ringier Collection, Switzerland © Urs Fischer Production: ullmann.photography Copyright: Aargauer Kunsthaus

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

Urs Fischer. The Intelligence of Flowers

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

In this video, Corina Forrer, Conservation Coordinator at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, talks about the special conservation features of a perishable sculpture.

Work: Dieter Roth (*1930) P.O.TH.A.A.VFB. (Portrait of the Artist as Birdseed Bust), 1969 Cast figure made of birdseed, chocolate on plywood under Plexiglas 21 x 14 x 12 cm Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau / Deposit of the Andreas Züst Collection © Dieter Roth Estate, Courtesy Hauser & Wirth Production: Ullmann.Photography

Dieter Roth. P.O.TH.A.A.VFB.

In this video, Corina Forrer, Conservation Coordinator at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, talks about the special conservation features of a perishable sculpture.

Co-operation, responsibility and trust. Conservation strategies for electronic media. To the essay by Katharina Ammann

The video offers a view of the installation and is reminiscent of the media achievements of the 1990s. – Work: Hervé Graumann (*1963) Raoul Pictor cherche son style …, 1993/1998 Computer, 14” monitor, keyboard, mouse, colour printer, cable Dimensions variable Aargauer Kunsthaus © Hervé Graumann Source material: Documentary video, 2023 Production: ullmann.photography Copyright: Aargauer Kunsthaus

Hervé Graumann. Raoul Pictor cherche son style...

The selected video excerpt clearly shows how the artist duo turns the space-time structure upside down in their work.

Excerpt from the video: Teresa Hubbard (*1965) / Alexander Birchler (*1962) Eight, 2001 1-channel video, colour, sound, 13′ 28” Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau / Deposit of the Walter A. Bechtler Foundation © Hubbard/Birchler

Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler. Eight

The selected video excerpt clearly shows how the artist duo turns the space-time structure upside down in their work.

Aggregate States of Performances and the Statics of the Museum. To the essay by Rachel Mader

This article contains an extract from the contract in which the artist sets out the conditions for the reactivation of her work. In this document, she points out that her works may not be photographed or filmed.

Source material: Contract between Florence Jung and the institution in which the artist sets out the conditions for the reactivation of her work. Florence Jung (*1986) Jung75, 2020 Performance Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau / Deposit of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Office of Culture, Bern © Florence Jung

Florence Jung. Jung75

Roland Roos’ performance cannot be captured photographically, but it can be experienced audibly. This is made possible by excerpts from the documentation of the work that the artist created for the Aargauer Kunsthaus in February 2022, which records the conditions under which the performance was performed.

Source material: Documentation by Roland Roos from February 2022 on the work: Roland Roos (*1974) Art as Connection, 2021 Performance Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau © Roland Roos Photo: Exhibition view Art as Connection, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2021/22, Photo: Alex Spichale Voices: Peter Allmann, Bassma El Adisey, Anouchka Panchard, Julia Schallberger, Katrin Weilenmann

Roland Roos. Art as Connection

New constellations. On space- and context-related works. On the dialogue between RELAX (chiarenza & hauser & co), Shirana Shahbazi and Marianne Wagner

Views from the exhibitions La jeunesse est un art. Anniversary Manor Art Award (2012); Desiderata. New in the Collection (2014) and Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition (2022) at the Aargauer Kunsthaus show the installation in various constellations.

Shirana Shahbazi Untitled II-2012, 2012 Wall painting, C-prints, silver gelatine prints Dimensions variable Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau / Donation of the Friends of the Aargau Art Collection © Shirana Shahbazi Source material: Various views and forms of presentation of the work from the exhibitions: La jeunesse est un art. Anniversary Manor Art Award, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2012, photos: David Aebi Desiderata. New in the Collection, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2014, photos: René Rötheli, Baden Before · Between · Beyond. The Collection in Transition, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2022, Photos: Ullmann.Photography Photographs of the individual works: Shirana Shahbazi Animation: Jan Lässig

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

Shirana Shahbazi. Untitled II-2012, 2012

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

Room views of the installation HEALTH COMPLEX, 2021 by the artist duo RELAX in the exhibition Art as Connection focus on the individual elements of the installation.

Source material: Exhibition views Art as Connection, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2021/22: Photos: Dominic Büttner, Animation: Jan Lässig

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

RELAX (chiarenza & hauser & co). HEALTH COMPLEX

Room views of the installation HEALTH COMPLEX, 2021 by the artist duo RELAX in the exhibition Art as Connection focus on the individual elements of the installation.

Source material: Exhibition views Art as Connection, Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2021/22: Photos: Dominic Büttner, Animation: Jan Lässig

©Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2024

Hands on or off? On the conservation practice of a collection for touching, dressing and entering. To the essay by Anna Schäffler

This video provides exclusive insights into a wall cupboard with 80 drawers.

Source material: Installation view and selected detailed views of the work: Augustin Rebetez (*1986) The Magic Cupboard, 2018 Metal, wood, various materials, clay Object dimensions: 181 x 164 x 46 cm Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau © Augustin Rebetez Photographs: Brigitte Lattmann and Augustin Rebetez (drawer views)

Augustin Rebetez. The Magic Cupboard

This video provides exclusive insights into a wall cupboard with 80 drawers.

This video shows a sculpture in motion.

Source material: Excerpt without sound from the video for the Artwork of the Month of August 2021: Markus Raetz (1941-2020) Untitled (after Man Ray), 1995-2005 Patinated cast iron, rotating mechanism, wood, plinth, 183.2 x 68.4 x 39 cm Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau © 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Video: Ullmann.Photography Copyright: Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2021

Markus Raetz. Ohne Titel (after Man Ray)