10 Must-Visit Galleries In Zurich's Kreis 5 Art Hub
Zurich’s former industrial center-turned-art hub, Kreis 5, is undergoing a renaissance. With an abundance of fine restaurants, charming cafés, electric nightlife, and innovative gallery spaces, Zurich’s downtown district is the hottest area in Switzerland’s buzzing city. We profile ten of the best exhibition spaces in Kreis 5.
The stark white, open-plan design of the Peter Kilchmann Gallery is a fitting space for the display of innovative contemporary artworks. Amongst the artists previously shown in featured exhibitions are Francis Alÿs, known for the compilation of subtly distinct emulations of Saint Fabiola and provocative video installations, and Bruno Jakob, renowned for his invisible paintings and opaque, haunting canvases.
Installation view Claudia Comte If I where a rabbit, where would I keep my gloves?, 2014, BolteLang, Zurich | Courtesy the artist and BolteLang, Zurich, photograph by Alexander Hana
BolteLang
The bright, white cube gallery space of BolteLang allows the striking works of contemporary art on display to speak for themselves. The bold prints and thought-provoking sculptures of Vanessa Billy have been showcased at BolteLang alongside the painting of Benjamin Senior, who experiments with innovative techniques such as oil and egg tempera on linen as well as his arresting depictions of figures in oil on linen works.
Installation view Patrick Hari Jantar Mantar SEVERAL-RING-CIRCUS, 2014 | Courtesy the artist and BolteLang, Zurich, photograph by Alexander Hana
Hauser & Wirth
One of the most prominent contemporary art galleries in the world, Hauser & Wirth is an international exhibition space that prides itself on displaying the works of both emerging and established contemporary artists. There is a frequent turnover of compelling exhibitions that at once demonstrate diversity and yet complement and contribute to an overall artistic narrative. Hauser & Wirth exhibits an unparalleled program of the best contemporary artists in the world.
Exhibition view ‘Between Daylights’. Galerie Bob Van Orsouw. 8th June – 27th July 2013 Courtesy Daniele Kaehr/ Shirana Shahbazi
Bob Van Orsouw
Art Gallery, Building, Museum
Exhibition view 'Blue Suit'. Galerie Bob van Orsouw. 18th January - 15th March 2014 | Courtesy Daniele Kaehr/Klaas Kloosterboer
Galerie Bob Van Orsouw promotes international and Swiss contemporary art. With humble beginnings in a singular apartment, the gallery then expanded to an atmospheric former factory building, finally housed in the Löwenbräu Brewery; Galerie Bob Van Orsouw has gone from strength to strength. The gallery is spacious, exhibiting the works of mixed media artist Nedko Solakov, and sculptor Cristian Anderson.
Kunsthalle Zurich is housed in the modern Löwenbräu Arts Centre, which serves as a work of art in and of itself. Showcasing arresting examples of postmodern Swiss art, video installations by international artists and a varied mix of galleries on three individual floors, the Kunsthalle Zurich is a must-see for contemporary art lovers. Visit the comprehensive art history and critical commentary bookshop to take the experience home.
left to right: Löwenbräukunst – Entrance to Arts Center on Limmatstrasse, additional storey Kunsthalle Zürich; Löwenbräukunst – Kunsthalle Zürich exhibition space, former production hall | Courtesy of Kunsthalle Zurixh
Mark Muller
Mark Muller, founded in 1990, has displayed a continuous run of stimulating modern art exhibitions, proudly exploring the tensions between modern and postmodern techniques, and those artists treading the border between artistic approaches. The gallery has a positive reputation for granting equal dedication to established artists and new voices. Next to the renowned collections of François Morellet sit project-related exhibitions that give unknown and fledgling artists the chance to gain much coveted representation.
Bob Gysin is a progressive space for the exhibition of international and Swiss modern art. Their collections of both new and established artists explores the concept of ‘space’ – both physical and mental – and serves as the common theme throughout their exhibitions. Bob Gysin presents multimedia exhibitions, showcasing video installations, paintings, sculptures, and more.
Barekunst offers food, wine, coffee, and art. The dishes available are created using only the finest ingredients from across Switzerland, and complement the artworks displayed across this open platform. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and collages are exhibited by emerging artists. With a delightfully chic interior and a cozy, intimate yet effortlessly stylish décor, Barekunst is a contemporary art gallery uniquely styled for an emerging generation of excellent modern artists.
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Eva Presen Huber stands within the former Maag Areal, a typical 1900s industrial building that is now a protected historical landmark. The Eva Presen Huber is packed with exciting new voices and established figures on the contemporary art scene, with work by Jay Defeo and the monochrome photographs and sculptures of Trisha Donnelly amongst many others.
Nadja Ullmann‘s open studio concentrates on developing an understanding of intricate detail and translating this understanding into the wider picture of the whole artwork, showcasing predominantly Ullmann’s own creations – herself a highly successful and well-educated contemporary artist. Ullmann moves seamlessly across genres to demonstrate her diversity not only in painting and sculpture, but installations, photography and live performances.
