130 artists, 250 artworks, 30 new productions, 30 documentary films about the new productions, a guild of artists, a swimming pavillon with its own pool and 38 parallel events: It all adds up to Manifesta 11 in Zurich. Here is an overview of what you can look forward to this summer. We can’t wait to see you! What People Do for Money: Some Joint Ventures – under this title, 30 international artists have joined forces with their Zurich hosts from diverse professions to produce new artworks. Each new production will be presented in three ways: once in a satellite venue, once in either Löwenbräukunst or Helmhaus and once as a film screened at the Pavillon of Reflections. The Historical Exhibition: Sites Under Construction brings together selected historical and contemporary positions to explore how work can be the subject of investigation and artistic reflection. The exhibition is divided into eleven theme chambers and is being presented in the Löwenbräukunst and the Helmhaus.
The Pavillon of Reflections, the floating platform docked Bellevue is the architectural icon of Manifesta 11, offering space for exchange and reflection. This is where the films about the newly created artworks will be screened. During the day, the Pavillon of Reflections will operate like one of Zurich’s traditional open-air swimming areas.
At Cabaret der Künstler – Zunfthaus Voltaire, artists and people from other professions will perform together on the stage. Anyone with the courage to go on stage before the guild audience and perform will automatically become a member of the newly founded guild of artists.
The Parallel Events offer a window into local and regional cultural life, presented in the international context of Manifesta 11. The Parallel Events include projects from the visual arts, performance, video, photography, dance, theatre, music and design.
Important note: you can download an instruction manual with important information for your visit to Manifesta 11 here.
1. “Its
more than urgent in the current crisis in which Europe is finding
itself to show the relevance of artistic interventions and the way how
artists can create a social impact. Manifesta 11 in Zurich with the
theme 'What People do for money? Some Joint Ventures" provides a
practical understanding of art's societal impact in todays European big
issues such as unemployment and uncertainty of their labor future. With
the highest amounts of youth unemployment in Greece, Spain, Portugal and
Italy since the second world war, a quarter of European citizen under
25 years old, are without work or education! That proofs the relevance
of Manifesta 11." Hedwig Fijen, Manifesta Founder and Director of Manifesta 11.
2. “Our
project promises many surprises. Beforehand, I was told the Swiss were a
cautious people. Now, when we look for hosts for our artists, I
experience the opposite. Cooperation with Zurich police, for example,
has been an absolute dream. They are quick and well organised. We talked
about surrealism with them.“ Christian Jankowski, Curator Manifesta 11.
3. “I
am delighted that the Löwenbräukunst complex will be one of the main
venues of Manifesta this summer. Where once beer was brewed has been an
exhibition centre for contemporary art for more than twenty years now.
In 2012, the entire building was refurbished and extended. Some parts
are now under a preservation order, with the result that today, the
Löwenbräu complex feels like a monument to the industrial past. In other
words, it is an extremely fitting place in which to reflect on the
topic of ‘work‘ in a city that moves between ‘Zwinglian work ethic‘ and
leisurely pleasures.” Heike Munder, Director Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst in the Löwenbräukunst-Areal, one of the venue partners of Manifesta 11.
4. “I
recommend Zurich in summer 2016 because the city’s art scene will do
everything it can to make the Manifesta pale in comparison with local
creativity.“ Urs Steiner, Coordinator Parallel Events Manifesta 11.
5. “Zurich
in Summer 2016 – because we will be celebrating 100 years of Dada and
the birthplace of Dada, the Cabaret Voltaire, will be transformed into
the ‘Cabaret der Künster – Zunfthaus Voltaire‘.” Adrian Notz, Director Cabaret Voltaire,
6. "Come to Zurich this summer to find a new art island in the lake. Don’t forget your swimming trunks." Tom Emerson, Studio Tom Emerson at ETH Zürich, developing for Manifesta 11 the ‘Pavillon of Reflections‘.
7. "I recommend Zurich in summer 2016 because they have the zoo and the rich." Mike Bouchet, Artist Manifesta 11. Join his ‘Zurich Load-Day‘ on March 24!
8. "I
would recommend everyone to visit Manifesta 11 this summer because you
will see the everyday slog of work transformed into artworks that will
make you laugh, ponder, dance, cry, smile, hum, frown and think." Francesca Gavin, Co-Curator ‘Historical Section‘, Manifesta 11.
9. "In
Summer 2016 the appearance of Manifesta 11 created by us can be
experienced throughout the whole city. Each visuality of Manifesta 11 is
accompanied by a small narration on the topic of ‘working’. The
individual, visible narrations are brief snapshots of various working
worlds in Zurich which complement the artistic intentions of Manifesta
11.“ Ruedi Baur, Integral Ruedi Baur.
10. “I
recommend Zurich in summer 2016, because the city on the Limmat, with
the lake and the Limmat and Sihl rivers, not only offers a choice of
great ways to cool down but also because – thanks to Manifesta 11 – it
is also temporarily the European Capital of Culture." Ueli Heer, Zurich Tourism.
11. "I
have been accompanying Christian Jankowski for more than a year now. He
is one of those people who go their own way undaunted, with passion and
tenacity. His current goal is the Manifesta. If only half of what he is
planning actually happens in Zurich, then I do not want to miss it. And
I won’t miss it. I’ve already booked a hotel room to be on the safe
side." Jonas Lepin, Journalist Monopol.