ARBON.- Get ready for an exhibition that promises to be more than just art on walls; it's an experience. The Kunsthalle Arbon is preparing to open its doors to a captivating new show by Swiss-based artist Paulo Wirz, an artist known for delving into the very fabric of our society and the mysteries that bind us.
Wirz, whose work frequently explores the symbolic weight of everyday objects, has a particular knack for unearthing the rituals and myths that explain how we grapple with the world's great unknowns. For his upcoming exhibition, he's set to transform the Kunsthalle Arbon into something truly unique: a labyrinthine, playful, and dreamlike terrain.
Imagine stepping into a space that exists somewhere between wakefulness and slumber, between life and death, reality and ritual. That's the ambitious scope of Wirz's vision. His exhibition will pose profound questions about how we, as individuals and communities, navigate the intricate "labyrinth of life," especially when confronted with the stark realities of mortality and the inexplicable. In a world often grappling with cultural and social instability, Wirz seeks to explore how we find common ground between the sacred and the mundane.
"Paulo Wirz is an artist who really makes you think," says a spokesperson for Kunsthalle Arbon. "His ability to take ordinary materials and infuse them with such deep meaning is extraordinary. This exhibition will be an immersive journey, inviting visitors to reflect on their own experiences."
Born in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, in 1990, Paulo Wirz has quickly established himself as a significant voice in contemporary art. Living and working in Zurich, his practice revolves around striking large-scale sculptures and site-specific installations that effortlessly bridge past and present.
Wirz is often described as an "alchemist" – and for good reason. He masterfully manipulates materials, from their physical state with color, fire, wax, or reflections, to their very meaning. His works aren't static; they pulsate with an inherent changeability, blurring the lines between what's visible and invisible, what's fleeting and what endures.
Wirz's talent hasn't gone unnoticed. He holds a BA in Photography from ZHdK and an MA in Fine Arts from HEAD - Genève, and has garnered prestigious accolades including the New Heads Prize (2019) and the Swiss Art Award (2021). His continued recognition is highlighted by his nomination for the Swiss Art Awards again in 2025.
His extensive resume includes residencies across the globe, from Italy and Germany to France and Egypt, and most recently, a residency in Bucharest in 2024. Wirz's thought-provoking creations have graced renowned institutions such as Kunsthalle Basel, Centre d'Art Contemporain de Genève, and Cité des Arts in Paris, among many others.
