Ausstellung "Cervelativa", Biennale de Design Graphique de Chaumont, 2008

Ausstellung "Cervelativa", Biennale de Design Graphique de Chaumont, 2008

Kunde: Martin Lötscher und Iris Ruprecht
Fertigstellung: 2008
Adresse: Biennale de Design Graphique de Chaumont


Cervelativa

Exhibition of the contemporary Zürich graphic designscene, at the Garage

Each year, the program of the Garage in Chaumont is devoted to the discovery of contemporary European graphic artsinitiatives. After London, Arnhem, Berlin and France, the Festival this year shines the spotlight on the scene in Zürich. Asthe epicentre of philosophical and artistic movements since the beginning of the 20th century (cradle of the Dadamovement and refuge of socialist thinking), Zürich today constitutes the focus point of all Swiss design.

Exhibition Statement

Much has been said, written and supposed about Swiss graphic design over these past 100 years. The tone has almostalways been reverential and, from abroad especially, particularly benevolent and enthusiastic, which has enabled the artist with limited talent that I am to benefit many times from preferential treatment to the detriment of artists of equal or evengreater talent. But it is not a revelation to say that the world is made up of prejudices and that on the contrary, one should–being Swiss by adoption– delight in such a privileged position and take an interest in the diversity of heritage of a JosefMüller-Brockmannn, Richard-Paul Lohse, Armin Hoffmann, Donald Brun, Max Gaflisch, Leo Leuppi, Max Bill, Max Miedinger, Herbert Matter etc., and do one’s best to cultivate and contribute to the development of a common cause– graphic design.

It is in this spirit that the exhibition “Cervelatica” is offering a vast presentation of works coming from the graphic designscene of Zürich of the past 15 years, often described as “New Wave” and the “Swiss Graphic Design 2.0”. In the form of innumerable products, publications and exhibitions, this Swiss graphic creation –located and concentrated more and more in Zürich– has been able to develop and refine a new approach as well as diverging visions that are refreshing andliberated, all the while maintaining the spirit of its pioneers. The exhibition venue, in the form and function of a campsite offers the visitor the most diverse works and formats– all of it in a context that is as orderly as it is abundant– and thusextends like an open forum for the very numerous heterogeneous actors of the Zürich graphic design world.

Through targeted actions, the broadened framework of the exhibition strives to break with structures that are often closed (typically Swiss) and establish a common view on its own creation and its consequences for culture and society. So it isanalyses, theses, interrogations, visions, sketches, inputs, cross-references, coincidences, experiences, studies, results, graphics, illustrated worlds, explanations, contexts, motivations and abysses that will be treated and produced in the editorial room of the exhibition space to finally be published in the N° 29,5 edition of the SoDA.

With our very best greetings from Zürich and soon at the Garage de Chaumont.

Martin Lötscher
(Curator of the “Cervelatica” exhibition and Director of soDA, a magazine on art and culture)

Partners:
Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council
SoDA Magazine
Frietag
Vitra