This group exhibition brought together work by thirteen artists that emerged from a long-term cultural exchange between Basel and Rotterdam. For fifteen years, Atelier Mondial in Basel and the Rotterdam artists' initiative Kaus Australis jointly organised artist residencies. The exhibition was curated by Annina Zimmermann, an independent curator and the first resident of the exchange.
Optic Mountaineering reflected the experience of living and working in a new place, freed from habits and obligations. Staying in a new environment, the artists absorb the city, nature and culture with a heightened awareness. The residencies are a period of reflection on the artistry and new ideas and works of art emerge.
Part of the exhibition depicted the experience of a new landscape. Edit Oderbolz showed a fluttering piece of white cloth that crossed the space of TENT like a chain of snow-capped mountains cutting through the cloud horizon. Babette Kleijn analyzed a landscape on a large wall drawing using pencil, paint and threads. Matthias Huber presented his first mural. Andreas von Ow showed large canvases covered with pigments that he collected in the dunes, and which are reminiscent of the work of Dutch Masters.
Working in an empty studio is an existential experience. Q.S. Serafijn, known in Rotterdam for his ambitious ideas for public space, switched to making watercolors during his residency in Basel. Karin Suter created figures with plaster, cord and wood. Marco Schuler played with the visitor, the studio and his own body in bizarre performances for the camera. Bretz/Holliger opened the doors to their fictional studio. Jens Stickel painted yellow surfaces reminiscent of facades radiating into space in supernova light. Bert Frings, currently working with Jacob under the name J & B, took his inspiration from the streets and created assemblages using garbage bags, protest signs and pizza boxes. Quenton Miller showed hundreds of pen drawings that testify to a humorous and profound view of what is happening around us.
Rotterdam and Basel are connected by history and trade. Dineke van Huizen, artist and coordinator of the exchange between Basel and Rotterdam, showed collected materials from Atelier Mondial and Kaus Australis in an extensive assemblage. Mimi von Moos showed her recent video work of the port of Rotterdam. Florian Graf placed a raft in TENT dedicated to Erasmus. It was the final destination of a long journey on the river that connects the two cities.
Optic Mountaineering was made possible by Pro Helvetia.