A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD
Nature and the elements are central to Signer’s work. Water, in particular, is a recurring motif. As a child, the artist spent most of his time in and around the river Sitter in the canton of Appenzell. He observed how sheets of ice were pushed together against bridge piers to create ephemeral sculptures, or threw a message in a bottle into the water and imagined it embarking on its journey out into the world. Similar ideas continue to engage Roman Signer today. His artistic events are a fascinating mixture of process, play, experimentation and amazement. Filled with childlike curiosity, he challenges the laws of nature and creates arrangements that never cease to surprise us. Chance, as well as the containment and release of energy play a central role. Signer is fascinated by the forces that cannot be fully controlled, such as explosions or gravity, which he uses to make his sculptures. ‘I just arrange. The force makes my sculpture, or manifests itself in my sculpture’, is how he explains his approach. The result is unexpected situations that open up a new perspective on the world and also cast the artist’s role in a different light.
Humour is part of Signer’s work, but not its aim. ‘Laughter is allowed, but isn’t necessary’, as he puts it. The mischievous eye that is characteristic of his works gives them a certain lightness, which also extends to the materials. Many of Signer’s works are temporary manifestations, and he loves objects that can be dismantled or that disappear again. The element of time plays a crucial role; and indeed, his works are often labelled ‘time sculpture’. Many also have something of the performative about them, or are transformed over the course of time. His attention focuses on the experience of the event, the changes it engenders, and the forces involved. To capture that progression, Signer uses film and photography: two media that are important to his artistic practice and will also be on show in the exhibition at the Kunsthaus.
The main emphasis, however, is on the sculptures. Roman Signer makes these out of everyday objects such as a table, bed or chair. By having them fly through the air or travel as an improvised little ship through the landscape of Iceland, he transforms our reading of them and turns them into different characters. What they all have in common is that it is impossible to dislike them. Another often-recurring object in the more than 50 years of Roman Signer’s artistic career is the kayak. Sometimes he takes it apart and makes the pieces into a kind of minimal sculpture; other times he hangs it from the ceiling or, pulled by a car, takes it on a bumpy ride through the countryside.
Supported by UBS, Partner Kunsthaus Zürich, the Monsol Foundation and Boston Consulting Group.

CATALOGUE AND ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMME
This major solo exhibition is an opportunity to meet well-known historical works by this unique artist once again, and also discover for the first time some new sculptures that are being created specially for the Kunsthaus Zürich. The exhibition is complemented by a catalogue containing a conversation between Roman Signer and curator Mirjam Varadinis as well as numerous illustrations from the artist’s archives. An accompanying programme including live action and film screenings is also under development.

Media relase: Kunsthaus Zürich, Zurich, 30 January 2025)

Further information about the exhibition can be found here.

Discover the availabe works by Roman Signer at Häusler Contemporary here: