Merz World: Yona Friedman & Tomas Saraceno

at Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich

It’s hard to be an old institution and reinvent yourself enough to still keep your cool; just look at David Bowie. Bowie’s pulled this off with the utmost grace over the last 4 decades, but the legendary Cabaret Voltaire isn’t doing too poorly itself, and compared to their 10 decades, Bowie’s still a spring chicken.

Keeping that in mind, some people don’t see a challenge as a challenge unless it’s a REALLY BIG challenge, and to be clear, here keeping a 100-year-old avant-garde arts venue at the forefront might comparatively be called moderate on the challenging scale. What would tip it into the REALLY BIG range would be to use that venue to present contemporary interpretations of a concept that itself is another old institution, namely Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbau, which might be most simply described as the artist’s radical extension of his artistic vision on the interior structure of his family’s Hannover house in the 20s and 30s. Here’s where it gets really interesting, however, and also where we can be glad that time doesn’t just heal wounds, but also smoothes over differences. Where Schwitters’ application to join Dada was once rejected on the basis that he was too preoccupied with aesthetics, nearly 100 years later we can see that he really was working in the same direction as his officially Dada contemporaries.

In the first half of Merz World, or until June 19^th, you will encounter Yona Friedman’s Ville Spatiale, and new interpretation of the “Merz Principle”, according to which a seemingly random agglomeration of things comes to form a whole, as a means of exploring the idea that the challenge of producing architecture in urban spaces lies in basing it on the behaviour of its users. Starting June 19^th, Tomas Saraceno will intervene and alter Friedman’s structure into his own under the name Cloud Cities, in which the behaviour of clouds is taken as a model for the behaviour of houses. Can houses really change their shape and position like clouds do? Stop by Cabaret Voltaire to find out how!

The exhibition runs until August 21^st and you can find Cabaret Voltaire at Spiegelgasse 1 in Zürich. Whether you make it to Zurich in time for this show or not, Cabaret Voltaire’s duDA-Bar is open every day (expect Mondays) to welcome you for a drink. Before you get totally duDA-ed, head over to White Line Hotels edit Hotel Greulich for their fantastic restaurant. They have beds too, if you need one.

Image courtesy www.merzbau.ch

—

Categories: Zurich, Architecture, Art, Culture, Exhibtions

Contributing writer: Melissa Frost

Leave the hostels behind: Under-30 at Greulich

The advantages of being under 30 are innumerable – you need less sleep, you’ve still got plenty of time to figure out what you’re doing, and the interests of the under 30 crowd are endlessly fascinating to international tastemakers. The disadvantages are there too – while you’re figuring it out you’re likely to be a few years away from your dream job, you’re probably working endless hours just to get a little recognition, and you’re still wobbly on your feet in expressing your taste in cuisine, wine, art, and travel (a search that will hopefully always be thrilling).

White Line Hotels edit Greulich in Zurich recognizes this and would like to help you on your way. Their new under 30 offer gives a 30% discount to all guests that are, you got it, under 30. The best part? The offer is for stays over the weekend. That’s right, the offer is at the same time you’re most likely to want to go. Grab some friends and give yourself a change of scenery and luxuriate in the art and design neighborhood surrounding the Greulich. And that 30% you’re saving? Book a table at the Greulich restaurant; after all, you’ve already got something in common with head chef Marco Hartmann. He’s travelled the world to bring you fresh, regional specialties so sophisticated, you wouldn’t believe he’s under 30 himself.

—

Category: Zurich

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

William Hunt: Practising Being Something Else Just In Case You’re Not What You Think You Are

Rotwand Gallery, Zurich

Somewhere between Harry Houdini and Samuel Beckett is a point where the repetitions of feats of physical endurance become absurdist reminders of the human drive to prove something may or may not be there, while also serving as some form of entertainment. This point may very well be the practice of artist William Hunt.

If you were to change the title of the exhibition slightly to Practice Being Something Else Just In Case You’re Not What You Think You Are, it could be construed as a possibly well-meant instruction. As is, it stands as a statement of affairs, but where that statement is directed remains unclear. That lack of clarity, however, is what makes it so interesting. Is it directed at the audience of Hunt’s performances? Whether playing the guitar while suspended upside-down by his ankles, performing various actions on a spinning platform until he falls over, on a ladder in the sea with his clothes on fire, or singing in a BMW filled with water, does the audience vicariously practice being someone else through the act of watching? Or is it directed at the artist himself? The elements of comedy in his performances temper the uneasiness of watching them, but in this, is he practicing being someone else as well?

The exhibition, which also includes photo documentation of other performances and an installation piece, is on show until December 18^th at Rotwand Gallery, Lutherstrasse 34, CH-8004 Zürich.

The Greulich Hotel in Zurich never pretends to be something it’s not. Which is a good thing – it would be foolish to pretend to be anything other than a truly original hotel, with an exceptional restaurant. Stay there if you’re heading to Zurich to check William out.

—

Greulich’s got location

Location, location, location – Hotel Greulich’s got it. Positioned in the centre of Zurich’s Design District, the hotel is within easy walking distance of some of the cities most inspired (and inspiring) home furnishing, fashion, jewellery, and art spots.

Doing a little last minute shopping before your flight out of town becomes effortless with Greulich’s newly launched Design District guide. Plan your stops from the comfort of your room by checking out the guide online. Locations are divided into categories, and you can choose how far you want to wander. Believe us, there are plenty of great shops within 5 minutes of the hotel, and a 15 minute wander offers up design galore.

Book a few nights and check out the new guide on Greulich’s website: www.greulich.ch.

#

—

Categories: Zurich, Design, Culture

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Greulich Does It Again!

The Hotel Greulich in Zurich is always seeking to improve and innovate, and 7 years on is still winning awards for it. We’d like to give them our heartfelt congratulations on their recently awarded 4 Steinbock symbols from the eco label Steinbock and Greulich’s “suburb” in the field of accommodation from Ecolabel.  The Steinbock label is presented to hotels that seek to create sustainability in all areas of the hotel from management to regional values.  The hotels must be steadfast, persistent and powerful in their pursuit of sustainability in hospitality and tourism. Ecolabel gives distinguished designations, helping consumers find quality environmentally friendly goods and services.  Congratulations Greulich!

Additionally, the Greulich’s engaging series of cultural talks will continue when writer Petra Ivanov visits the hotel on September 22.  Author of numerous thrillers, as well as a few children’s books, she will be presenting her latest book “Tiefe Narben”.

The Greulich culture talks are a new interpretation on the traditional concept of a salon.  The evenings bring together the culinary and intellectual arts in an uncomplicated and inviting ambiance.  A 3-course menu is included in the event, prior booking is necessary. There’ll be more talks coming up in November and December, so check out the Greulich website, or check back on the White Line blog for more information.

—

Categories: Zurich, Culture

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter