Zürich Art Weekend is a 3-day programme of exhibitions and events taking place across 71 venues in the city from 13 to 15 June. Visitors can walk through exhibitions with the artists, follow curators on guided tours or attend late-night gallery openings. There are also performances, book launches, DJ sets and more. Here, founding executive director, Charlotte von Stotzingen, talks about her goal of drawing back the curtain on a world that can feel exclusive, bringing together every level of Zürich’s art scene and why you should always plan a few surprises. 

What was the idea behind launching Zürich Art Weekend eight years ago?
The idea was to create a platform in Zürich for discoveries and encounters. We wanted visitors not just to see great art in the best possible setting but also to give them the possibility to engage with artists, curators and thinkers in a direct way. That’s why, from the start, we not only set up exhibitions but also built up a programme of talks, behind-the-scenes guided tours and collection visits – opening doors that are normally not accessible.

How are you engaging all levels of Zürich’s art scene?
In Zürich we have major players with global reach – Kunsthalle Zürich – and on the other hand, independent spaces such as Stiftung Binz39, Tableau Zürich and Jevouspropose, which are hosting emerging and underrepresented voices. All of this is in the context of the deep-rooted trust in Swiss quality and rigour. We want people to feel welcome and intellectually engaged at the same time. 

What’s the importance of having an interdisciplinary element to the programme?
Since 2018, we’ve been programming conversations and talks linking art and science, art and music, art and politics. This year we’ll again have our interdisciplinary talk series at the Luma Westbau and Schwarzescafé with Taloi Havini, a Papua New Guinean-Australian artist, who will be in conversation with curators Mario Schulze and Sarine Waltenspül. Another talk will be with the UK-Kenyan artist Grace Ndiritu together with Louise Benson from ArtReview. 

There are some secret exhibition venues that visitors can only find out about by texting a special number. Why did you include this element of mystery?
I like surprises. And we collaborate a lot with the Offspace in Zürich, they’re the most creative people. Some locations will be revealed each day on the spot. There are other formats too, such as Spirit Music, which blends art, music and film in a huge space. It’s called Gallery House Zürich and will bring together exhibitors such as Fitzpatrick Gallery, Blue Velvet and Lovay Fine Arts, along with non-profit organisations such as Parkett, Studioli Roma and Sentiment. They will be presenting monumental installations and blending different exhibitors in one single space. 

What’s the VIP programme like?
We’re launching community events whereby museum directors, curators, artists and collectors can interact with one another in closed sessions. They will then reunite for a big brunch on Sunday. The shared experience and exchange of ideas will hopefully enable them to continue their endeavours and address the challenges of the art ecosystem today, maybe with new approaches. 

How do you think Zürich’s art scene has changed since you’ve been running the event?
Zürich has always been an art capital but it was somehow under the radar, and that’s what we wanted to crack. Over the course of the past eight years, we’ve really worked on bringing that whole ecosystem together. Zürich is small, so the connections between major global institutions and experimental, fiercely independent spaces can be created quickly. What we wanted to offer was giving people the possibility, within a few days, to exchange and discover the voices that are shaping contemporary art today. 

After a day spent at Zürich Art Weekend, where are your favourite places for a drink or dinner?
The amazing restaurant Rosso has fresh produce and a not-too-long menu, which means that it’s easier to make up your mind. Also, because it’s central and just lovely with the Max Ernst fresco, I love hanging out at Kunsthaus Bar.
 
To enjoy Monocle’s full city guide to Zürich (featuring more on Kunsthaus), click here.