Kunsthaus Zürich is based on brand priorities
Zurich – The Niki de Saint Phalle exhibition is scheduled to open on September 2nd. Due to renovation work, the collection rooms in the old building will probably remain closed until the end of the year. The Chipperfield building is open. There, «Federico Fellini. From Drawing to Film», works of Impressionism, Dadaism and classical modernism as well as works by Hodler and Segantini, contemporary art and the private collections of Bührle, Merzbacher and Looser can be visited. Until full operation resumes, there is a reduced admission price for visiting the collection.
Refurbishment work has been underway in the Moser, Müller and Pfister tracts of the Kunsthaus Zurich since Monday, August 8th. Due to a technical defect in the packing room of the old building – initial indications suggest that a small battery-powered device that was stored in the museum packing room spontaneously ignited – smoke reached the entrance hall, the delivery area and the collection rooms on the night of August 2nd to 3rd . The examination of traces of soot on ceilings, walls, floors and the moving, appraisal and, if necessary, cleaning of around 400 paintings and sculptures will take several months. In addition, part of the electrical system in the limited fire compartment was damaged by the heat. Cables, fire protection doors and some ventilation ducts have to be replaced, lost tools, furniture and inventory have to be repurchased.
REFURBISHMENT HAS STARTED
After the considerable damage had been recorded, documented and assessed by the police, fire brigade and insurance companies and the first assumption of costs had been clarified, the areas were released for cleaning at the end of last week. Several cleaning companies were awarded the contract to actively support the Kunsthaus team. The restoration and art handling will be boosted with additional forces in order to carry out the necessary work as quickly as possible. The safety of the art comes first.
EXHIBITION NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE WILL OPEN AS SCHEDULED
The top priority in the operational planning has enabled the restoration of the infrastructure, the establishment and opening of the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibition planned for September 2nd. Visitors should again be welcomed in the usual way at Heimplatz 1 – in the entrance hall with shop and café. The collection rooms, which will be completely emptied and closed from floor to ceiling and partially repainted, will remain open to the public until the end of the year at the latest.
REDUCED ADMISSION PRICE TO THE COLLECTION UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR
Participants in guided tours and workshops or tenants who have rented rooms in the existing building are offered alternative areas and alternative themed tours in the Chipperfield building in the event that accessibility has not yet been restored by the date. Private and public lenders have been informed about the current state of affairs over the past week. Like the Chipperfield building at Heimplatz 5, the library of the Kunsthaus adjoining the old building on Rämistrasse is not affected by the consequences of the fire and is normally accessible. The Graphic Collection may have welcomed back from September. Due to the reduced offer, the management has decided to reduce the admission price for a visit to the collection from CHF 23 (regular) to CHF 18 and also to adjust all discounts downwards. (Kunsthaus Zurich/mc/ps)