Jump to content

Muzeum Susch

Coordinates: 46°45′02″N 10°04′53″E / 46.75056°N 10.08138°E / 46.75056; 10.08138
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muzeum Susch
Muzeum Susch in winter, 2019
Map
Interactive fullscreen map
Established2 January 2019 (2019-01-02)
LocationSusch, Switzerland
TypeArt museum
DirectorMarika Kuźmicz
Websitemuzeumsusch.ch

Muzeum Susch is a private art museum located in the town of Susch, Switzerland, which focuses on collecting and promoting the work of female modern and contemporary artists.[1][2] Founded by the Polish entrepreneur and art collector Grażyna Kulczyk, Muzeum Susch opened on January 2, 2019. Its name uses the original Polish spelling of the word museum.[3]

Location

[edit]

With a population of just over 200 people, Susch is 1438 meters (4,718 feet) above sea level, in the Lower Engadine valley, in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The Lower Engadine valley contains towns such as St. Moritz and Davos.[3] The museum can be easily accessed via the Swiss Federal Railways; the nearest railway station is Susch, 350 meters away.

History

[edit]

Monastery

[edit]

The buildings that make up Muzeum Susch were part of a rural monastery founded in 1157.[4] The monastery was on the pilgrims' path to Rome and Santiago de Compostela called Jacob's trail. The buildings consisted of a vicarage, hospice and economic building. In the 19th century a brewery building was added.[5]

Redevelopment

[edit]

Grażyna Kulczyk acquired the museum building and three other old Engadine houses on the same street and commissioned the architect duo Chasper Schmidlin and Lukas Voellmy to develop the Muzeum Susch project from the complex.[6] Since all buildings are under cantonal monument protection, an extension of the exhibition space was only possible inside the mountain, while the existing structures were subtly restored and recombined. In the first construction phase, 9000 tons of rock were blasted out, and the cavernous rooms in the mountain were designed.[7] The raw stone was left in some rooms, making it possible to experience the mountain's insides; in one room, you can see how spring water emerges from the rock. The amphibolite rock was blown up, ground up and reused as polished floor covering. Other floors are made of local stone pine, pebbles from the Inn or limestone slabs used in the previous buildings. The renovation took three years. Today, the exhibition area covers 1500 square meters on four floors in around twenty rooms arranged like a labyrinth and differently designed.[8]

Rock wall with spring water emerging inside Muzeum Susch

Opening

[edit]

The gallery opened on 2 January 2019.

Building and exhibition space

[edit]

The whole museum complex consists of four buildings: the Bieraria (brewery), the Bieraria Veglia (old brewery), the Chasa Della Santa (House of Health) and the Artist House. The entrance to the Museum is through the basement of the Bieraria. The Bieraria Veglia is accessed through a pre-existing underground passage, where exhibition space and the headquarters of the Muzeum Susch/Art Stations Foundation CH are housed.[8]

The space draws a connection to nature,[9] and was built to encourage an exploratory, slow art journey[10] introducing spaces for exhibitions and experimental presentations, performances, conferences, lectures and events, as well as an interdisciplinary residency programme.[11]

In summer, terraced gardens designed by landscape architect Günther Vogt can be accessed from the exhibition rooms.[12]

Exhibition

[edit]

The exhibits inside the building consist of permanent installations and seasonal exhibitions.

Permanent site-specific installations

[edit]

Muzeum Susch consists of a series of permanent, site-specific installations by international contemporary artists. The installations engage with the architecture and the characteristic structure.

Each of the permanent installations plays a part in shaping the evolving character and distinctive layout of the space, inviting a unique sense of choreography with temporary works on display that will occupy most of the building space.  

Mirosław Bałka Narcissussusch (2018)

Monika Sosnowska’s 'Stairs' (2017),[13] a 14m steel spinal column structure, was one of the first site-specific works to arrive at Muzeum Susch, and it sits in the former ice tower of the brewery.

Other permanent site-specific installations include: Narcissussusch (2018) by Mirosław Bałka,[14] Midada da structura (2018) by Mirko Baselgia,[15] Herrenzimmer (1977 – 1979) by Heidi Bucher,[16] Piss Flowers, 1991–1992 by Helen Chadwick,[17] Dreams in Black I (1992) and Dreams in Black II (1994) by Izabella Gustowska,[18] Flock I (1990) by Magdalena Abakanowicz,[19] Ethnic Wars. Large Vanitas Still Life (1995/2017) by Zofia Kulik,[20] Inn Reverse (2018) by Sara Masüger,[21] Painkillers (2014 – 2017) by Joanna Rajkowska,[22] Real Nazis (2017) & Untitled (Story of the Eye, 2013) by Piotr Uklański,[23] From the Series The Theater of Disappearance XXXI (2018) by Adrián Villar Rojas,[24] Tuor per Susch (Tower for Susch), 2020] by Not Vital[25] and Listening by Eye by Jarosław Kozłowski.[26]

Temporary exhibitions

[edit]
Temporary exhibitions
Date Artist(s) Title Details
2 January 2019 – 30 June 2019 Carla Accardi, Evelyne Axell, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Helena Almeida, Ida Applebroog, Mirosław Bałka, Maria Bartuszová, Renate Bertlmann, Judith Bernstein, Louise Bourgeois, Geta Brătescu, Ellen Cantor, Dadamaino, Marlene Dumas, Nicole Eisenman, Wojciech Fangor, Lucio Fontana, Laura Grisi, Dorothy Iannone, Birgit Jürgenssen, Kiki Kogelnik, Maria Lassnig, Natalia LL, Sarah Lucas, Roman Ondak, Teresa Pągowska, Carol Rama, Erna Rosenstein, Iris von Roten, Carolee Schneemann, Joan Semmel, Alina Szapocznikow, Betty Tompkins, Julie Verhoeven, Hannah Wilke and Andrzej Wróblewski A Woman Looking at Men Looking at Women[27] About
27 July 2019 - 24 November 2019 Emma Kunz Visionary Drawings[28] About
29 December 2019 – 19 July 2020 Carolee Schneemann Up to and Including Limits: After Carolee Schneemann[29] About
1 August 2020 - 22 May 2021 Evelyne Axell, Sylvie Fleury Evelyne Axell: Body Double [30] About
5 June 2021 — 5 December 2021 Laura Grisi Laura Grisi. The Measuring of Time[31] About
18 December 2021 - 26 June 2022 Feliza Bursztyn Feliza Bursztyn: Welding Madness[32] About
16 July 2022 - 4 December 2022 Heidi Bucher Heidi Bucher. Metamorphoses II[33] About
4 January 2023 - 2 July 2023 Hannah Villiger, Alexandra Bachzetsis, Lou Masduraud, and Manon Wertenbroek Hannah Villiger: Amaze Me[34] About
15 July 2023 - 26 November 2023 Wanda Czełkowska Wanda Czełkowska: Art is not Rest[35] About
January 3 - 30 June 2024 Anu Põder Anu Põder: Space for My Body [36] About

Other programmes

[edit]

Acziun Susch

[edit]
mayfield brooks performance as part of Acziun Susch, in the background Heidi Bucher's work

Created and curated by Joanna Lesnierowska, Acziun Susch is a research and presentation platform bringing forward the art of choreography in dialogue with other disciplines and providing the dance community with a meeting point in the Swiss Alps.[37]

The programme of research residencies combines space for reflection and individual practice with public rehearsals, workshops and lectures.[38]

Magazine Susch

[edit]

Annual Magazine Susch serving as an additional thought-provoking platform - Muzeum Susch/Acziun Susch supported publishing this book, offered Cools a residence to continue his research on laments in modern art, and commissioned a podcast on the subject for their 2020 series Echolot.[39]

Echolot podcast

[edit]

Echolot is a podcast in which creatives reflect on and the concepts of taking life at an intentionally slower pace with increased time for contemplation during their time at Muzeum Susch.[40][41]

Art Stations Foundation CH

[edit]

Art station foundation is a foundation funded by Grarzyna Kulczyk which supports the Muzeum. Since 2004 Art Stations Foundation by Grażyna Kulczyk has been providing extensive support to the development of contemporary choreography through its performative programme based in Poznań, recognized internationally under the name Stary Browar Nowy Taniec / Old Brewery New Dance.[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Muzeum Susch, Nestled in the Swiss Mountains, Is a Dramatic Temple to Art". elephant.art. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ^ Siganporia, Nadezna. "Private Museums of the World: Muzeum Susch". Stir World. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b Natalia, Rachlin. "A New Museum is Putting This Swiss Alps Town on the Map". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  4. ^ Rami, Trupti. "A Chef's Guide to Zürich Pulled pork belly, contemporary art in a 12th century monastery, and picturesque ski slopes". Nymag.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  5. ^ Oliver, Wainwright. "The best architecture of the 21st century". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  6. ^ Roux, Caroline (20 February 2019). "Businesswoman and art collector Grazyna Kulczyk has opened a new private museum in a tiny Swiss village" (PDF). Financial Times. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  7. ^ Caroline, Roux. "On a mission to bring art to a Swiss valley". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b Stevens, Philip. "Muzeum Susch: former brewery and monastery to be transformed into underground art space". Designboom. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  9. ^ Dittmer, Mareike. "Meet Grażyna Kulczyk, the Polish entrepreneur who turned an Alpine village into an artworld destination". Art Basel. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  10. ^ Kulczyk, Grazyna (May 12, 2020). "I Founded a Museum to Encourage Slow Looking at Art. Here's Hoping This Moment Will Encourage All Viewers to Do the Same". Artnet. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  11. ^ "VacationIdea". Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  12. ^ Griffiths, Alyn. "Muzeum Susch in the Swiss Alps has galleries excavated from mountainside". dezeen.com. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Monika Sosnowska Stairs (2016 – 2017)". Muzeum Susch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Mirosław Bałka NARCISSUSSUSCH (2018)". Muzeum Susch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Mirko Baselgia Midada da structura (2018)". muzeususch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Heidi Bucher Herrenzimmer (1977 – 1979)". muzeumsuch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Helen Chadwick Piss Flowers, 1991–1992". muzeumsusch.ch, 1991–1992. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Izabella Gustowska Dreams in Black I (1992) Dreams in Black II (1994)". museumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Magdalena Abakanowicz Flock I (1990)". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Zofia Kulik Ethnic Wars. Large Vanitas Still Life (1995/2017)". muzeumsuch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Sara Masüger Inn Reverse (2018)". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Joanna Rajkowska Painkillers (2014 – 2017)". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Piotr Uklański Real Nazis (2017) Untitled (Story of the Eye, 2013)". muzeumsusch.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  24. ^ "Adrián Villar Rojas From the Series The Theater of Disappearance XXXI (2018)". muzeumsusch.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Not Vital Tuor per Susch (Tower for Susch), 2020". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Jarosław Kozłowski Listening by Eye". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Muzeum Susch - A Woman Looking at Men Looking at Women". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  28. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Emma Kunz: Visionary Drawings". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Up to and Including Limits: After Carolee Schneemann". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Evelyne Axell: Body Double". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Laura Grisi: Lessons on Distillation". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  32. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Feliza Bursztyn: Welding Madness". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Heidi Bucher: Skins Tradition". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Hannah Villiger: Amaze Me". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Wanda Czełkowska: Art is not Rest". Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  36. ^ "Muzeum Susch - Anu Põder: Space for My body". Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  37. ^ "Some of the most interesting Polish choreographers will give insights into their current work and allow us to reflect upon answers to the question 'Who's afraid of (Polish) choreography?' Are you?". culturescapes.ch. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  38. ^ "ACZIUN SUSCH". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  39. ^ "book list". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  40. ^ "Art Keeps Collectors going: Grazyna Kulczyk". Artsy.net. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  41. ^ "ECHOLOT PODCAST". muzeumsusch.ch. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Art Stations Foundation CH". Fundraido.CH. Retrieved 12 January 2023.

46°45′02″N 10°04′53″E / 46.75056°N 10.08138°E / 46.75056; 10.08138