Media Release Hans Schärer

Media Release
Aarau in April 2015
Hans Schärer
Madonnas & Erotic Watercolours
1 May – 2 August 2015
Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau
Hans
Schärer
(1927
–
1997)
is
one
of
the
most
important
Swiss
artists of his generation. With its new exhibition Hans Schärer.
Madonnas & Erotic Watercolours, the Aargauer Kunsthaus aims to draw
attention to two of the artist's pivotal series of works. The iconlike
Madonna
erotic
paintings
watercolours,
are
which
juxtaposed
are
within
characterised
the
by
show
with
lightness
the
and
a
passion for storytelling.
The Kunsthaus and the artist share a long history. Schärer’s first
retrospective took place at the Aargauer Kunsthaus in 1982. More recently,
the museum has repeatedly highlighted his potential as well as the
topicality of his work in solo and group shows. The interest of
contemporary artists in Hans Schärer's visual language and the presentation
of his work at the 2013 Venice Biennale in Venice 2013 are evidence of his
continuing relevance today. Comprising about 230 works from the two series,
Madonnas and Erotic Watercolours, the present exhibition in Aarau reflects
on the status of women as sacred icons and alleged saints as opposed to the
erotically charged image of women. The exhibition makes it clear that Hans
Schärer's phantasms are not just subjectively grounded and that the
paintings, in fact, hold universal significance in dealing with the
relationship of sexuality and religiosity, god and man, and man and woman.
The combination of the two series also raises the question which
perceptions we assign to the depicted bodies.
During a fifteen-year period from about 1966 until the early 1980s, Hans
Schärer created his best-known series of works, the Madonna portraits. In
1969, his first work received the titled Madonna and this subject would go
on to become his most popular one. In the years that followed, the Lucerne
painter was virtually under the spell of a Madonna cult and created a large
number of paintings of the subject. Highlighted by their juxtaposition
within the exhibition, the conceptual radicalism of these works is evident
in the ample application of paint and the material density of individual
paintings. Into repeatedly overpainted layers of paint the artist
incorporated stones, ropes, shells, or shards that cause parts of the
painting to grow into half reliefs. In many of his Madonnas he paid special
attention to painting the centre of the torso, as if it were a centre of
force or a piece of jewellery.
Hans Schärer lent his Madonnas a distinct and sometimes peculiar
expression, thereby distinguishing himself from sacred portraits of the
Virgin Mary. In the process he played off the characteristics of
religiously motivated Madonna paintings against traditional iconography:
the Madonnas have wide open mouths with clearly visible teeth, a third eye
on the forehead, a neck- and armless torso, and often a fixed gaze. In
their rustic manner of execution, the Madonnas convey various moods. They
appear quizzical, aggressive, coquettish, scary if not terrifying, and
amused or introverted. Their fascination lies in their ambiguity.
In the exhibition these icon-like, large-scale Madonna paintings are
contrasted with the erotic watercolours which are characterised by
lightness and a passion for storytelling. Schärer created this body of work
— about 140 watercolours in which the artist combined watercolour with ink
and gouache — during the same period as the Madonna paintings and the two
are closely related in terms of content. In a playful way, the sensual
scenes in the works of paper present the earthly counterpart of the otherworldly Madonnas of the paintings. While the Madonnas seem aloof and
unapproachable, the women in the watercolours radiate light-hearted
jauntiness. They obviously feel comfortable in their voluptuous, full
bodies; stretching contentedly on colourful sofas, riding with zest on
phallic objects, and performing all kinds of stunts in an erotically
charged circus spectacle. In the caricaturing scenes, on the other hand,
Schärer goes beyond this and also includes harsh social critigue as well as
political allusions.
A scaled-down version of this exhibition will be shown at the
Institute in New York from 18 November 2015 until 7 February 2016.
Swiss
Hans Schärer (b. 1927, Bern – d. 1997, St. Niklausen)
Hans Schärer first attended the École de Commerce in Lausanne and then
moved to France at age 21. In 1956 he returned to Switzerland and found an
ideal place to live in St. Niklausen near Lucerne, where he lived and
worked until his death.
Selected Solo Exhibitions to Date: Hans Schärer, Aquarelles Érotiques,
Centre culturel suisse, Paris (2014); Œuvres / Werke 1962 – 1996, Galerie
Anton Meier, Geneva (2012); Das Stundenbuch, die Notizbücher und Werke auf
Papier, Kunstmuseum Luzern, Lucerne (2005); Madonnen, Kunstmuseum Luzern
(2001); Terra Capricciosa. Druckgraphik und Arbeiten auf Papier, Aargauer
Kunsthaus, Aarau (1993); Hans und Marion Schärer, Talmuseum Engelberg
(1992); Galerie Art-Magazin, Zürich (1991); Neue Arbeiten, Galerie
Elisabeth Staffelbach, Lenzburg (1989); Galerie Priska Meier, Zell (1985);
Malerei und Zeichnungen von 1950 bis 1982, Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau
(1982); Dame, Galerie Anton Meier, Geneva (1980); Madonnen, Galerie 57
Silvia Steiner, Biel/Bienne (1979); peintures, aquarelles, Galerie Anton
Meier, Geneva (1975); Madonnen, Galerie Stähli, Lucerne (1973); Galerie
Aurora, Geneva (1965); Galerie an der Reuss, Luzern (1958); Galerie Aleby,
Stockholm (1951).
Selected Group Exhibitions to Date: 55th International Art Exhibition.
Il Palazzo Enciclopedico, La Biennale di Venezia, (2013); Il Museo siamo
noi, Kunstmuseum Luzern, Lucerne (2013); The Spirit Level, Gladstone
Gallery, New York (2012); The Old, The New, The Different, Kunsthalle Bern
(2012);
Im
Reich
der
Zeichnung
–
Bildwelten
zwischen
Traum
und
Wirklichkeit, Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau (2010); Wahnsinn sammeln. Outsider
aus der Sammlung Dammann, Sammlung Prinzhorn, Heidelberg (2006); Robert
Müller, Hans Schärer, Dieter Roth, Josef Herzog, Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau
(1999); Im Reich der Zeichnung. Zeichnungen und Arbeiten auf Papier. Werke
des 20. Jahrhunderts aus dem Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau
/ Bündner Kunstmuseum, Chur / Musée Jenisch, Vevey / Civica Galleria
d'Arte, Bellinzona (1999); Von einer Welt zu’r Andern, DuMont Kunsthalle,
Cologne (1990); Arte Incomun, São Paulo Biennial (1981); Die andere Sicht
der Dinge. Phantastik in der zeitgenössischen Schweizer Kunst, Kunsthaus
Zug / Kunsthaus Glarus (1980); Schweizer Zeichnungen im 20. Jahrhundert,
Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich / Kunstmuseum Bern / Musée d’Art et
d’Histoire, Geneva (1979); Schibig, Schärer, Kuhn, Galerie Stähli, Lucerne
(1972); Phantastische Figuration, Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, Helmhaus
Zürich (1972); Junge Kunst, Kunstmuseum Luzern, Lucerne (1965).
Curator
Madeleine Schuppli, Director, Aargauer Kunsthaus
Curatorial Assistance
Nicole Rampa, Assistant Curator, Aargauer Kunsthaus
Marianne Wagner, Assistant Curator, Aargauer Kunsthaus
Publication
Hans Schärer. Madonnen & Erotische Aquarelle, ed. by Madeleine Schuppli,
Marianne Wagner, and the Aargauer Kunsthaus, exh. cat. Aarau/Lucerne:
Aargauer Kunsthaus and Edizioni Periferia, 2015.
The richly illustrated, trilingual catalogue (in German, English, and
French) published in conjunction with the exhibition includes essays by
Elisabeth Bronfen and Madeleine Schuppli, as well as an artist’s statement
by Ugo Rondinone.
The 230-page publication will be designed by Katarina Lang, Zürich.
CHF 54.–/ CHF 48.– for members of the Aargau Art Association
Preview for the Media
Thursday, 30 Apr., 10 am
Introduction and tour of the exhibition with Madeleine Schuppli.
Followed by a reception in the foyer
Exhibition Opening
Thursday, 30 Apr., 6 pm
6.15 pm Welcome address and introduction by Madeleine Schuppli, Director,
Aargauer Kunsthaus. Followed by a reception in the foyer
5 – 6 pm Preview for members of the Aargau Art Association
Tour of the Exhibition and Discussion
Wednesday, 27 May, 6.30 pm
With Peter Thali, collector and friend of Hans Schärer, Max Wechsler,
author and journalist, and Madeleine Schuppli, Director, Aargauer
Kunsthaus. Followed by a reception. Museum admission + CHF 12.–
The exhibitions Hans Schärer and Inhabitations will remain open until the
start of the event.
Talk in English
Sunday, 14 June, 2 pm
With Madeleine Schuppli, Director, Aargauer Kunsthaus, and Simon Castets,
Director, Swiss Institute, New York.
Followed by a reception. Museum admission + CHF 8.–
Reading (in German)
Thursday, 16 July, 7.30 pm
"Bilder hab ich ertölpelt und werd sie nicht mehr los."
Poems from Hans Schärer's Stundenbuch 1966–1980. Red by Elvira Plüss
Hunkeler, theatre professionals, and Max Christian Graeff, author
Museum admission + CHF 12.Combined Guided Tours, Hans Schärer/Inhabitations
Thursday, 6.30 pm
7 May with Brigitte Haas, 28 May with Annette Bürgi, 11 June with Astrid
Näff, 18 June with Brigitte Haas, 25 June with Astrid Näff, 9 July with
Annette Bürgi, 16 / 23 / 30 July with Astrid Näff
Sunday, 11 am
3 May with Brigitte Haas, 24 / 31 May with Annette Bürgi, 7 June with
Astrid Näff, 14 June with Brigitte Haas, 21 June with Annette Bürgi,
28 June with Brigitte Haas, 12 July with Astrid Näff, 19 July with Annette
Bürgi, 26 July with Simone Flüeler, 2 Aug. with Brigitte Haas
Sunday, 1 pm
2 Aug. with Brigitte Haas
Whitmonday, 11 am
25 May with Annette Bürgi
Art Education
Children and Families
Children’s Opening
Friday, 30 Apr., 6 – 8 pm
Meet at the studio downstairs (for children aged 5 and older)
Family Sundays
Sunday, 10 May, 11 am / 1 pm / 3 pm
Interactive guided tour and workshop on the Hans Schärer exhibition
(For families with children aged 5 and older)
International Museum Day
Sunday, 17 May, 11 am – 4 pm
Motto: Ways of Collecting
Short guided tours at 11 am /1 pm / 3 pm
Art Hunt
Saturday, 30 May / 6 June / 13 June / 20 June / 27 June
10 am – 12.30 pm for children aged 9 to 13
1.30 – 3.30 pm for children aged 5 to 8
Children are introduced to art
CHF 50.–/child; CHF 25.–/child for members of the Junior Art Association
Art Parents
Wednesday, 27 May / 24 June, 9 – 10 am
For parents of and with small children; Child care available upon request
Open Studio
Sunday, 31 May / 28 June, 11 am – 4 pm
The studio is open to creative minds of all ages
Youths
Drop-In
Thursday, 21 May / 25 June, 5.30 – 7.30 pm
Open studio for youths as part of EINGELADEN / INVITED.
For additional information please refer to the separate flyer or visit
our website at www.aargauerkunsthaus.ch/Art Education
Adults
Art Picnic
Thursday, 7 May, 12 – 1 pm
Lunchtime tour with a sandwich afterwards
Museum admission + CHF 10.Talk & Tea
Wednesday, 20 May, 3 – 5 pm
Dialogue-based tour of the exhibition in English, tea afterwards
Museum admission + CHF 10.–
Rendez-vous
Sunday, 21 June, 3 − 4.30 pm
With Max Christian Graeff, author and journalist, responsible for the Hans
Schärer catalogue raissoné, and Christin Bugarski, Head of Art Education
Museum admission + CHF 10.–
Dates for Art Workshops (school classes) and Art Meets (adults) upon
request: Tel. +41 (0)62 835 23 31; email: [email protected]
Images for the Media
Images are available for downloading on our website
www.aargauerkunsthaus.ch> Media. Please consider the copyright.
Opening Hours
Tue – Sun: 10 am – 5 pm; Thu: 10 am – 8 pm
Holiday Opening Hours
Open 10 – 17 pm: Labour Day/May Day, 1 May 2015; Ascension Day, 14 May
2015; Whitsunday, 24 May 2015; Whitmonday, 25 May 2015; Eve of Maienzug,
2 July 2015; Maienzug, 3 July 2015; Swiss National Holiday, 1 Aug. 2015
For additional information please contact
Madeleine Schuppli, Director, Aargauer Kunsthaus,
Tel. +41 (0)62 835 23 30, email [email protected]
Marianne Wagner, Research Assistant, Aargauer Kunsthaus,
Tel. +41 (0)62 835 37 34, email [email protected] (until 30.4.2015)
Nicole Rampa, Research Assistant, Aargauer Kunsthaus (from 1.5.2015)
Tel. +41 (0)62 835 37 34, email [email protected]
Filomena Colecchia, Media/Communication, Aargauer Kunsthaus
Tel. +41 (0)62 835 23 34, email [email protected]

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