AARAU.- The 1970s were a period of transformation in Switzerland and internationally: social and artistic conventions were overturned, and independent venues emerged while artists forged new paths into the profession. This exhibition captures the desire for change and experimentation of the times, showing how diverse styles, themes, and media coexisted and intermingled.

The exhibition begins by showing works from Aarau’s art scene of the 1970s — with a particular focus on the works of the Ziegelrain studio collective. The artwork from Aarau illustrates how contrasting artistic approaches found bold forms of expression at the same time and in close proximity to one another. Regional and international movements of the 1970s are also shown alongside local artwork: Pop Art by Markus Müller or Herbert Distel are followed by pieces from international movements such as Fluxus and Nouveau Réalisme. These movements explored conceptual approaches, performance art, and interdisciplinary practices.

Other art forms of the 1970s, such as the ‘Innerschweizer Innerlichkeit’ [Inner-Swiss Inwardness], meet the conceptual approaches of Olivier Mosset and Jean Pfaff: self-reflective art is juxtaposed with forms of expression that challenge traditional notions of authorship and originality. Works by self-taught artists such as Emma Kunz illustrate how these works, labelled ‘outsiders’ at the time, furthered the understanding of art and its institutional role. As we walk through the exhibition, we also find individual artists such as Rosina Kuhn, Heidi Bucher, and Klaudia Schifferle.

The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the delightful artistic richness and spirit of the 1970s. At the same time, Together apart raises key questions that remain relevant today: What forms of collaborative artistic practice emerged back then? What parallels can be drawn between the social upheavals of that era and our present day? How do we relate today to values such as openness, diversity, and a willingness to experiment?





Rather than offering a historical overview of the art scene of the 1970s, the exhibition establishes thematic focal points and draws connections between local, regional, and international perspectives. It brings together the works of about 30 artists in the fields of painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture — from the artists’ own collections, from estates and, to a large extent, from the collection of the Aargauer Kunsthaus.

The exhibition spans the entire ground floor and is complemented by a documentation room in the basement. Archive material and interactive elements, such as screens showing short interviews with artists and other key figures from the 1970s art scene, offer visitors deeper insights into the exhibition themes and the different forms of collective artistic practices of the period.

Artists: Marie-Claire Baldenweg, Heidi Bucher, Balthasar Burkhard, Monika Dillier, Herbert Distel, Marianne Eigenheer, Helmut Federle, Pierre Haubensak, Josef Herzog, Heiner Kielholz, Rosina Kuhn, Emma Kunz, Manon, Max Matter, Olivier Mosset, Markus Müller, Jakob Nielsen, Jean Pfaff, Heiner Richner, Christian Rothacher, Klaudia Schifferle, Daniel Spoerri, Hugo Suter, Jean Tinguely, Ben Vautier, Hannah Villiger, Gillian White and Rolf Winnewisser, among other influential figures.

Curated by: Anouchka Panchard
Curatorial assistant: Franziska Fellner