HIGH UP

10. July – 18. September 2005

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Ausstellungsansicht, Hoch Hinaus

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Ausstellungsansicht, Hoch Hinaus

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Ausstellungsansicht, Hoch Hinaus

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Ausstellungsansicht, Hoch Hinaus

Under the title ‘High Up’, the Kunstmuseum Thun is presenting an exhibition dedicated, in the broadest sense, to the theme of the mountain. This popular motif in art, literature and music is examined for its contemporary relevance. In doing so, the mountain is not reduced to a motif in the traditional sense, but rather reflected upon in all its current diversity of meaning: as a landscape and ecological system, as a space for recreation and retreat, as a place of longing, personal challenge and self-discovery, as well as a metaphor and symbol.

The exhibition presents 14 contemporary works. Alongside the perspectives of artists from Switzerland, it also showcases works by artists from other parts of the world. For instance, the Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto meticulously crafts a labyrinth of salt, whose winding paths lead into a mystical mountain landscape. In their video work, the Kurdish-Turkish artist duo Sener Özmen and Erkan Özgen wander through inhospitable Anatolian mountains in search of the renowned Tate Modern. In one of his monumental photorealistic paintings, Franz Gertsch depicts the mountain world as a destination of longing for young dropouts. The German photographer Sonja Braas deceives our eyes by blending real mountain views with model shots, thereby subverting traditional visual conventions. In contrast, the paintings by the British artist Neal Tait are representations of personal landscape memories. In his photographic works, the Chinese artist Zhang Huan juxtaposes the erratic mountain landscape with people whose nakedness reflects the vulnerability of our lives. Whilst the cultural approach to the subject is often characterised by sentimentality and a backward-looking attitude, this exhibition anchors the subject in contemporary artistic relevance.

The exhibition venue in Thun also provides the ideal backdrop for “aiming high”. The exhibition thus enables visitors to engage in a thought-provoking exploration of their own living environment.

Artists featured in the exhibition:
Sonja Braas (D *1968), Diana Dodson (CH *1963), Peter Fischli (CH *1952) / David Weiss (CH *1946), Gabriela Gerber (CH *1970) / Lukas Bardill (CH *1968), Franz Gertsch (CH *1930), Zhang Huan (China / Chine *1965), Vincent Kohler (CH *1977), Andres Lutz (CH *1968) / Anders Guggisberg (CH *1966), Sener Özmen (Turkey / Turquie *1971) / Erkan Özgen (Turkey / Turquie *1971), Neal Tait (UK *1965), Joël Tettamanti (CH *1977), Christian Vetter (CH *1970), Heike Weber (D *1962), Motoi Yamamoto (Japan / Japon *1966)

Adler, Christian Vetter

Motoi Yamamoto, Labyrinth