Thomas Galler, Erich Weiss

4.6.-8.8.09

(8.7.-8.8.09 nur nach Voranmeldung)

Erich Weiss und Thomas Galler sind beide Meister der ‹Appropriation›: Fundstücke werden zu Versatzstücken ihrer Arbeiten und treten als Readymades oder als Teile eigener Schöpfungen in Erscheinung. Jeder hat ein grosses, eigenes Oeuvre vorzuweisen, sporadisch arbeiten sie aber immer wieder zusammen. In der aktuellen Ausstellung ist es eine Videoarbeit, für die die Künstler als Autoren zeichnen. Sie beruht auf dem Song ‹Bela Lugosi is Dead› der Rockband ‹Bauhaus› und erweist Bela Lugosi eine Art letzte Ehre. Wegen seines Osteuropäischen Akzents und seiner besonderen physischen Erscheinung wurde Lugosi zum Inbegriff eines Vampirdarstellers in Hollywood. Im Gegensatz zu seinem beruflichen Erfolg,...

‹Painting for Life› Kotscha Reist

27.3.-30.5.09

(9.-13.4.09 view by appointment only)

Kotscha Reist is showing a series of oil paintings created during the last year.

The title of the show ‹Painting for Life› is ambiguous and refers to the particular circumstances of every artist's life: on the one hand painting is the essence and mission of his existence, on the other hand it is his job and only by selling his works is he able to earn a living. The lives of many artists are deeply influenced by this ambivalence; work as spiritual, creative expression on the one side, and on the other side work that has to be sold. In the end it is the market that dictates what eventually sells.

The basis of Kotscha Reists paintings are mainly photo...

‹Polar› Marius Lüscher

13.2.-21.3.09

The Bernese Marius Lüscher has been inwardly working as a self-taught artist for a couple of years, creating an impressive oeuvre.

After several appearances in the Kunsthaus Aargau, the Kunsthalle Bern, the space of art Oktogon or at our gallery, he is now showing his works to a greater extent. In addition to the already known paintings, sculptures are being shown for the first time.

Marius Lüscher;s pictorial work is being distinguished by two main movements.

On the one hand Lüscher;s abstract paintings take over the more important part. They stand out through their daring choice of color. Using a paintbrush, he is working through many lay-ers of thin oil paint. He creates fascinating compositions, using the flow...

‹Stella› Reto Leibundgut

12.1208- 3.1.09

From the very beginning of Reto Leibundgut;s artistic activity, he exclusively concentrates on using secondhand, old material. The essence of his works is formed by the large collection and accumulation of material. By mostly using materials as wood, leather, plastic or textiles, which he handles in an elaborate way, he transforms them into a new context. He is interested in transforming the assumed, battered material into something stunningly new. Regarding the contents he is not just recycling material, but images as well. Using models as old needle points, pornographic images or photographs. By means of traditional, assumedly outdated techniques as inlays or embroideries, contents are being transformed into a new dimension. Questioning the familiar perception and...