Feu sacré. On the Occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Bernische Kunstgesellschaft BKG, 20.09.2013 - 05.01.2014
Award-winning Bernese art
The Bernische Kunstgesellschaft BKG (Bern Art Society) played a decisive role in the foundation of the Kunstmuseum Bern, which opened its doors to the public in 1879. Therefore, on the occasion of the bicentennial of the BKG, the Kunstmuseum Bern is devoting an exhibition to this illustrious art society. The show comprises works by the award winners of the Aeschlimann Corti Scholarship (AC), which the BKG has been bestowing on young Bern artists since 1942. Showing a selection from 104 artists, each is represented by a work that was executed at the time they received the scholarship. In this way the bicentennial exhibition ultimately offers a comprehensive overview of 70 years of artistic creation in the Canton of Bern.
The AC Scholarship makes an important contribution to promoting young talent. Many famous Bern artists today were distinguished in the past by being awarded an AC Scholarship.
A concentration of art
In the exhibition we are showing works, among
many others, by Franz Gertsch, Rolf
Iseli, Frantiček Klossner, Bernhard Luginbühl, Chantal Michel, Peter
Radelfinger, Markus Raetz, Ana Roldán, Julia Steiner and George Steinmann. You
will be able to view an impressive variety of paintings, sculptures, installations,
photographs and video art by the winners of the AC Scholarship. The works were
all produced during the period the artists were receiving the sponsorship. They
were—and still are—chosen by a jury of three, which is annually appointed anew.
Famous people have been among the members of the jury such as Meret Oppenheim,
Harald Szeemann, Bice Curiger, Ulrich Loock, Samuel Herzog, Andreas Fiedler or
Roger Fayet.
The history of the
BKG: commitment to art
The exhibition title Feu Sacré
alludes to the passion and commitment to art that is shared by both the artists
and the BKG—one of the oldest art societies in Switzerland. It was founded on
February 22 1813. Then, each member had to pay a membership admission fee and
contribute a sheet to the so-called Künstlerbuch (Artists’ book) on
joining the art society. The artists among the members each donated a work of
their own, the art enthusiasts each a work they had purchased. From 1818 to
1854 the BKG organized exhibitions. As the canton art society has taken on this
responsibility since 1854, the BKG henceforth concentrated its efforts on other
areas and began to purchase artworks. Among the first works it bought were
paintings by Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet and Giovanni Giacometti. Ultimately
the works it accrued made up the cornerstone for the collection and the foundation
of the Kunstmuseum Bern. The BKG was likewise strongly involved in founding the
Kunstschule in 1871 and the Kunsthalle Bern in 1918. Since 1942 it annually
awards the AC Scholarship, which, in the meantime is among the most generous
art grants in Switzerland
with a sum of CHF 70,000.00. Today the BKG organizes, for its members, visits
to studios, discussions with artists, and national and international art trips.
The grand festivities
for the bicentennial
With the opening of the exhibition on Thursday, September 19, we will also be
celebrating the bicentennial of the BKG. The opening
speeches will be taking place from 6:30 p.m. onwards with our speakers Christoph
Schäublin, (President, Kunstmuseum Bern), Alexander Tschäppät (President of the
Council of Bern), Holger Hoffmann, (President BKG) and Annick Haldemann (curator). Around
10:00 p.m. DESTILACIJA, an ensemble of Bern
musicians around Mario Batkovic, will be giving a concert as a special
highlight. Admission is free.
Contact person: Brigit Bucher, , Tel.: +41 31 328 09 21
Images: Marie Louise Suter, , Tel.: +41 31 328 09 53
