Hans Josephsohn
05 September 2004
Kesselhaus Josephsohn
Sittertalstrasse 34 · CH-9014
St.Gallen / Switzerland
T + 41 71 278 88 22
F + 41 71 278 88 23
post@kesselhaus-josephsohn.ch
www.kesselhaus-josephsohn.ch
www.kunstgiesserei.ch
Opening Reception, Sunday, September 5th, 12 – 18 pm.
Through the Kesselhaus Josephsohn , the work of the Zurich sculptor Hans Josephsohn will be made accessible to a broader public in a new form.
The sculptor Hans Josephsohn, who was born in 1920 in the East Prussian city of Konigsberg, has been working in his Zurich atelier since 1943 and has created an extensive body of sculptural work at a remove from contemporary tendencies. His work, long renowned in certain circles, has received new attention from the public in recent years, and has become increasingly recognised and celebrated. Specialists in the field of figurative sculpture have meanwhile come to consider him to be one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and the present. Since 1985 the artist has been having his work cast in the Kunstgiesserei, the art foundry established by Felix Lehner. Over the years of collaboration, the desire grew to create a space in which the sculptures of Hans Josephsohn could be presented and stored under ideal conditions.
Over a year ago, the boiler house of the Sittertal dye-works which was previously located on the grounds of the Kunstgiesserei was rented on the initiative of Felix Lehner. With the support and consultation of Peter Markli, Stefan Bellwalder and Lukas Furrer, architects familiar with the work of Hans Josephsohn, the hall was renovated to meet the specific needs. The 370-square-metre hall with its 12-metre ceiling provides ideal conditions for the long-term presentation of the artist’s body of work. Pieces from various phases in the creation of works, plaster originals and bronze castings can be viewed next to each other in natural daylight. The room and the range of work presented offer a process-orientated look at his body of work. Archiving and restoration can simultaneously be accomplished here. Hans Josephsohn is also regularly be present to give detailed explanations about his models and sculptures.
Starting in September 2004 Felix Lehner will be engaging in gallery activities in order to partially finance the Kesselhaus Josephsohn. Thus, in the future, Hans Josephsohn’s work will be represented by Bob van Orsouw, Zurich and Felix Lehner, St.Gallen.
Kesselhaus Josephsohn:
Open Wednesday and Sunday 14:00 – 18:00
Other hours available by appointment
Contact/Information: Felix Lehner, Kunstgiesserei St. Gallen,
Marianne Rinderknecht, Administration Kunstgiesserei & Kesselhaus Josephsohn
