Dear members,
some news from the recent past, some announcements for the upcoming months. But first of all a very warm welcome from the Spectrum Board to our new members! We would also like to take the opportunity to officially welcome Danaé Panchaud, who joined the board of Spectrum in January 2019.
The Kulturbotschaft 2021-25 (“Message on the Financing of the Federal Cultural Promotion") is currently in the phase of the internal administrative elaboration. Once the so-called internal consultative process has been completed, the text of the message is submitted to the Federal Council for approval or correction (summer 2019). Only then the organisations concerned will be invited to comment (probably in autumn 2019). Spectrum will therefore not have the opportunity to comment on the content of the message until autumn this year at the earliest. There is currently no information available on the concrete form of the text. It is still to be expected that there will be no increase in funds for culture in the federal budget for the years 2021-25. However, it will only be the budget debate of the Federal Assembly at the end of 2020 that will provide certainty about the financial framework.
After the first Spectrum Weekend in Soglio last year the board has decided to go with an alternating rhythm for the annual event. This means that a year with a Spectrum Weekend will be followed by a year with a one-day event. So mark your calendars!
On September 6, Spectrum invites you to join us for a day trip to Le Locle (Neuchâtel). The program organized by Spectrum board member Nathalie Herschdorfer, who is the director of the Musée des beaux-arts Le Locle proposes includes a visit of MBAL and its photography shows. In addition we plan a lecture and panel discussion on the current challenges and difficulties of financing photography/art institutions in Switzerland. Lecturers and details of the program will be announced at a later date.
In terms of exhibition programming MBAL devotes its Summer shows to mountain photography. Firstly MAGNUM Mountainsis a survey show that covers 80 years of work and includes a section dedicated to Werner Bischof. Secondly, German photographer Henrik Spohler was invited in residency by MBAL to observe the landscape in Parc du Doubs (the regional natural parc). Finally, the three most recent series by French photographer Noémie Goudal are shown at MBAL. The artist creates a labyrinth and offers a new experience regarding the way we contemplate landscapes.
20 Institutions & Individuals in Switzerland (Museums, Galleries, Collections, Archives, Publishers, Writers, Teachers, Festival Directors, Restorators etc.) present their most important Photo Projects in 2020. Followed by drinks, food and extended small talks.
This year the successful formula will take place in Aarau, the call for contribution will be sent out in August.
Venue: Stadtmuseum Aarau, Schlossplatz 23, CH-5000 Aarau. www.stadtmuseum.ch
| 13:30-16:30 | What’s Next 2020? (Welcome und Presentation-slots) |
| 16:30-19:00 | Drinks, food and small talk |
Entry is free. Registration however is obligatory, until November 15th at: spectrum@photography-in-switzerland.ch
The General Assembly of Spectrum – Photography in Switzerland will also take place at Stadtmuseum Aarau on Friday, November 29, 2019. Starting 10.00, finishing at 11.15, the General Assembly is followed by a guided tour focusing on „Photography at Stadtmuseum Aarau“and a lunch for the participants of the general assembly from 12.15 until 13.15.
Registration of Spectrum members until November 8th at:
spectrum@photography-in-switzerland.ch
Each newsletter is accompanied by an essay, a work report or a plea by a photography expert from Switzerland, in his or her mother tongue.
Also available on the Spectrum Website in German and English.
This spring Nicole Graf, Head of the ETH Image Archive, takes the lead:
We wish you an exciting cultural spring!
See you soon.
With kind regards
Urs Stahel
President of Spectrum – Photography in Switzerland
On behalf of the Spectrum Board