ART IN ZURICH - CITY OF ZURICH / MUSEUMS

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Zürich

Zurich Downtown Switzerland

Zurich - a Unique Mixture:
As a "metropolis of experiences" by the water, with a magnificent view of the snow-capped Alps on the horizon, Zurich Downtown Switzerland offers a unique mixture of attractions - over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, shopping paradise with international brands, traditional businesses and urban Zurich labels, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. A total of 380,000 people live in this experience, science and business center.

The city of Zurich lies in the heart of Europe and at the center of Switzerland.
Its multicultural flair and the variety of leisure activities on offer attract guests from all over the world to this “region of short routes”. Zurich is quick and easy to reach, whether by train, plane or private vehicle. Its international airport has direct connections with over 150 destinations. Just a 10-minute train ride from the airport and situated right in the city center, Zurich’s Main Railway Station is regarded as a central European railroad hub.
Approach to Zurich City and the Kongresshaus

A leader in the art trade.
In addition to New York and London, Zurich is in the first division of leading art trading cities. Worldwide specialists count Zurich amongst the top 10 gallery cities. Low value added tax, no obligatory payment to the artists’ fund, and no resale rights are Zurich’s advantages.
Typical for Zurich is the concentration of galleries. As these galleries are conveniently distributed throughout the city and are also quickly and easily reached by public transport, art connoisseurs are able to visit several establishments on one trip.
As well as galleries, Zurich also offers a very high concentration of museums: There are over 50, of which 14 are dedicated to art. Prime examples are the Kunsthaus Zurich (Museum of Fine Art) with exhibits from the Middle Ages to the present, the Schweizerische Landesmuseum with the largest cultural historic collection in the country and the Museum Rietberg, one of the most important international centers for non-European art. Zurich offers a wealth of artistic highlights, from the birthplace of the Dada art movement to the largest collection of Swiss cultural history, right through to Le Corbusier’s last work.

Art shopping
Zurich is among the world’s most popular cities for art dealers. A typical feature of Zurich is the density of galleries. Zurich is home to more than 100 galleries, and branches of Christie's and Sotheby’s auction houses.

Dadaism - Art movement founded in Zurich
Zurich has served as the departure point, home base and stopping-off place for avant-garde writers and artists. The Dada art movement was founded in 1916 in the Cabaret Voltaire, on Spiegelgasse, as a "protest against the madness of the times". This revolutionary movement was established by émigrés, who as political refugees had fled from the foreboding harbingers of the impending First World War to Zurich. Here they attempted by non-violent artistic means to implement their ideas of a world of innovative unrest. Artists, musicians, dancers and literati met in the Cabaret Voltaire and called the entire existing art into question. The reopening of the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich’s Old Town in October 2004 marked the beginning of a brand new Dada era. Nowadays, the Dadahaus, with its exhibitions, events and bar, as well as its small specialized lending library, is open to the public; in this vibrant cultural center, bridges are built between Dada and modern social and cultural trends.
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Culture and economy:
As a multilingual country located in the midst of Europe, Switzerland has always been a cultural melting pot. Influences from the most diverse countries converged here early on - artists, writers and lateral thinkers feel attracted to Zurich. Many diverse lifestyles and cultural expressions characterize the region. Trends are quickly and easily initiated, accepted and developed. The cultural affinity of the population is high.
Zurich is the cultural and business capital of Switzerland and a popular domicile for the head offices of many multinational companies. Wherever influences from different countries converge, a multitude of lifestyles and forms of cultural expression can always also be found. Thanks to the city's open attitude towards things new, in Zürich innovative trends can be quickly put into practice and further elaborated.
Zurich’s international character attracts designers of fashion, shoes, jewelry, fabrics and furniture to the city with top quality of life. Swiss design has many of its roots along the banks of Lake Zurich. Here, sharp ideas come into being, which stand out as a result of their simple, clear-cut forms. Around one-twelfth of all those working in the city of Zurich are in some way involved in the spheres of creativity and culture.
In Zurich, creative ideas are routinely put into practice and welcomed with open arms. The creative sector in Zurich is booming. This is particularly evident in the trendy districts of Zurich-West and Aussersihl, where creative people have taken up residence - among other places, in former factories. New galleries, restaurants, bars and clubs are opening all the time. Textile and furniture designers, jewelry makers and fashion designers, architects and graphic designers all have their studios or shops here.

Top quality of living:
Zurich offers top quality of living. From 2002 to 2008, the city of Zurich was named by Mercer Human Resource Consulting seven times in succession as the city with the highest quality of living in the world. The analysis was based on such criteria as safety, cleanliness, cultural activities, cuisine, and nearby recreation areas. In 2009, Mercer Human Resource Consulting named Zurich as the city with the second highest quality of living in the world.
On the one hand, Zurich is considered to be the cultural center of Switzerland. On the other hand however, the numerous research centers, universities and international corporate head offices make the pulse of Switzerland’s science and business communities beat in the Zurich region.

Shopping in Zurich:
Zurich, the city with top quality of life opens the door to luxury experiences: from stylish shopping to gourmet pleasures, and selected art encounters to exclusive overnight accommodation. From luxury to international brands, traditional businesses and urban Zurich labels - shopping in Zurich inspires both lovers of exclusive items and the fashion conscious.
Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse is the prime location for international designer labels, jewelry and watches. And the further along Bahnhofstrasse you go in the direction of Lake Zurich, the more exclusive the shops become. From Bahnhofstrasse, Rennweg and Augustinergasse lead to the picturesque old town.
In Zurich’s old town, trends meet tradition: here you will find tradesmen, antique dealers, bookshops and florists alongside trendy shops, jewelry shops, Zurich labels and hairdressers. This combination of many different specialist shops, which can only be found here, makes the old town a unique shopping district. Traditions are maintained to this day in many of the businesses. The surrounding region also attracts visitors with exciting destinations for excursions combined with unique shopping opportunities.
Further informations: http://www.zuerich.com/shopping

Zürich

Events in Zurich

Mercedes-CSI, internationales Springreitturnier
27.01.2012 - 29.01.2012 / www.mercedes-csi.ch
Art on Ice, Eisgala
02.02.2012 - 05.02.2012 / www.artonice.ch
Sechseläuten, Zürcher Frühlingsfest
15.04.2012 - 16.04.2012 / www.sechselaeuten.ch
Zürich Marathon
22.04.2012 / www.zurichmarathon.ch
Caliente! Festival Tropical & Mercado Mundial
06.07.2012 - 08.07.2012 / www.caliente.ch
Street Parade
11.08.2012 / www.streetparade.com
14th International Art Fair / Kongresshaus Zurich
12.10.2012 – 14.10.2012 / www.art-zurich.com

Museums of Art

Kunsthaus Zurich
(Museum of Fine Arts)
Heimplatz 1
CH-8001 Zurich
http://www.kunsthaus.ch
The Kunsthaus Zurich (Museum of Fine Arts) houses one of the most important collections of modern art in Zurich and is renowned for both its permanent art collection and its temporary exhibitions. Besides important exhibits of Swiss and international art, the Kunsthaus accom-modates an extensive collection of works by Alberto and Diego Giacometti, as well as an exclusive documented collection relating to the Dada movement. In addition to paintings, the permanent art collection includes sculptures dating from the Middle Ages thorough to the present day.

Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum
(Swiss National Museum )
Landesmuseum Zurich
Museumstrasse 2
CH-8021 Zurich
http://www.musee-suisse.ch/d/zuerich/index.php
Just a stone's throw from Zurich's Main Railway Station is the Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum), accommodating the country's most comprehensive collection of exhibits relating to Swiss cultural history. The building, dating from the 19th century, is reminiscent of a castle and represents an epoch that unites a wide variety of styles. While all manner of open air events are regularly held in the beautiful inner courtyard, behind the over 100-year old walls the past comes alive, for inside the museum visitors can experience more than a century of Swiss history.

Museum Rietberg
Gablerstrasse 15
CH-8002 Zurich
http://www.rietberg.ch
One of the most significant collections of non-European art in Europe can be viewed at the Rietberg Museum; the villa on the green hill was originally built by Otto Wesendonck, indu-strialist and patron of Richard Wagner. The architectural highpoint of the "Emerald", as the new museum extension is called, is the glass pavilion, which merges perfectly with the existing buildings.

Helmhaus
Limmatquai 31
CH-8001 Zurich
Contemporary Art from swiss artists: single-, group- and theme-oriented exhibitions.
http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/kultur/de/index/institutionen/helmhaus.html

Cabaret Voltaire
Spiegelgasse 1
CH-8001 Zurich
http://www.cabaretvoltaire.ch
The Dadahaus, with its exhibitions, events and bar, as well as its small specialized lending library, is open to the public; in this vibrant cultural center, bridges are built between Dada and modern social and cultural trends.

Shedhalle
Rote Fabrik
Seestrasse 395
CH-8038 Zurich
http://www.shedhalle.ch
Theme-oriented art projects can be viewed at the Shedhalle.

Graphische Sammlung der ETH
(Collection of Prints and Drawings at ETH)
Rämistrasse 101
CH-8092 Zurich
http://www.gs.ethz.ch
The Collection of Prints and Drawings at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich features both old and modern graphic art.

Stiftung Sammlung E. G. Bührle
(E.G. Bührle Collection)
Zollikerstrasse 172
CH-8008 Zurich
http://www.buehrle.ch
The E.G. Bührle Collection, as a classic private museum, exhibits works by Old Masters, as well as an important collection of French Impressionists, their forerunners and successors.

Stiftung für Eisenplastik
Villa Severini
Zollikerstrasse 86
CH-8702 Zollikon
A unique collection of Swiss iron sculptures is on display at the Stiftung für Eisenplastik in Zollikon.

Coninx Museum
Heuelstrasse 32
CH-8032 Zurich
http://www.coninx-museum.ch
Far Eastern and African arts can be seen at the Coninx Museum.

migros museum für gegenwartskunst
(Migros museum of contemporary art)
Limmatstrasse 270, CH-8005 Zurich
from September 24, 2010:
Albisriederstrasse 199 A, CH-8047 Zurich
http://www.migrosmuseum.ch
Contemporary art can be found at the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst.

Kunsthalle Zurich
Limmatstrasse 270
CH-8005 Zurich
http://www.kunsthallezurich.ch
A large program with exhibitions of international contemporary art.

Daros Exhibitions
Limmatstrasse 268
CH-8005 Zurich
http://www.daros.ch
Daros Exhibitions is a significant private collection of contemporary Latin American art that is open to the public.

Museums of Architecture and Design

Museum für Gestaltung Zurich
(Zurich Museum of Design)
Ausstellungsstrasse 60
CH-8005 Zurich
http://www.museum-gestaltung.ch
Design, visual communication, new media and architecture are all exhibition themes at the Zurich Museum of Design (Museum für Gestaltung Zurich). Further highlights include attractive ancillary events and museum-related educational activities. The Museum is housed in one of the few buildings in Zurich to be constructed in the Bauhaus style, takes up architectural and design themes in a series of temporary exhibitions. The museum also houses four internationally important collections on the themes of design, graphics, art collections and posters.

Museum Bellerive
Höschgasse 3
CH-8008 Zurich
http://www.museum-bellerive.ch
The Bellerive Museum in Zurich's Seefeld quarter arranges temporary exhibitions by international artists. Three times a year, the entire museum is turned upside down in order to present a variety of exhibitions showing what international artists have created within the broad field between play, decoration and usage. The exhibition rooms also feature contemporary fashion, design and lifestyle.

Centre Le Corbusier
Heidi-Weber-Haus
Höschgasse 8
CH-8008 Zurich
http://www.centerlecorbusier.com
Le Corbusier, one of the most influential Swiss architects of the 20th century, created his last structure, the Heidi Weber House, in Zurich. It represents a "Gesamtkunstwerk" - a complete work of art - that reflects the harmonic unity of Le Corbusier's architecture, sculptures, pictures, furniture design and texts. The house is also home to a collection of graphic works.

Haus Konstruktiv
Selnaustr. 25
CH-8001 Zurich
http://www.hauskonstruktiv.ch
The original Rockefeller Dining Room by the Swiss artist, Fritz Glarner, can be admired at the Haus Konstruktiv. It is one of the rare examples of concrete interior design in its original form. Glarner was personally contracted by Nelson A. Rockefeller to design the dining room for his New York city apartment.

Architektur Forum
(Zurich Architectural Forum)
Neumarkt 15
CH-8001 Zurich
http://www.af-z.ch
The Architectural Forum offers an opportunity to discuss and debate themes related to architecture and urban planning. Set out as a hall of art rather than a museum, it focuses on the here-and-now rather than on architectural history. The Architectural Forum aims to have a say in shaping current planning and building policy. It is a stage, pulpit, auditorium and exhibition area all at the same time.

Institut für Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur gta
[Institute for History and Theory of Architecture at the Federal College of Technology (ETH) in Zurich]
http://www.gta.arch.ethz.ch
The Institute for History and Theory of Architecture at the ETH Zurich principally houses holdings from bequests and miscellaneous collections. Among the works of many well-known and important architects, the main emphasis is on the 19th century, with the Semper Archive and its fraternity; the turn of the century, including works by Karl Moser and Gustav Gull; and a collection of works by Swiss "pioneers" of modern architecture, such as Hans Hofmann, Alfred Roth and Hans Schmidt.

For further tourist information:

Zurich Tourism
Tourist Service at the Main Railway Station, CH-8021 Zurich
Phone +41 44 215 40 00, fax +41 44 215 40 44
www.zuerich.com

Hotel reservation
Phone +41 44 215 40 40 / hotel@zuerich.com

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