muzeum susch: contemporary art museum opens in switzerland's engadin valley

described as a ‘major new space and home for experimental approaches to contemporary art’, muzeum susch has opened its doors to the public in switzerland’s engadin valley. the museum is housed in a campus located on the site of a 12th century former monastery and brewery in susch, a remote town on the ancient pilgrim route to santiago de compostela in the swiss alps. conceived as a new kind of ‘laboratory’, the museum is founded and created by grażyna kulczyk, a polish entrepreneur who is a long-term supporter of contemporary art.

the opening of the museum was a highlight during the engadin art talks (E.A.T.), which invited speakers and attendees to have a firsthand look at the structure. 

all images © studio stefano graziani, muzeum susch, art stations foundation CH

muzeum susch is located among the remains of a former vicarage, hospice and economic building which formed parts of a rural monastery founded in 1157 at the foot of the flüela pass, with a brewery building added in the 19th century. architects chasper schmidlin and lukas voellmy have restored and expanded these existing structures to honor the heritage of the location, while introducing their own minimal architectural interventions. mirroring the historical approach of the former brewery building, elements of natural mountain rock remain exposed, both inside and outside the museum.

the exhibition spaces are defined by a series of permanent, site-specific installations by international contemporary artists, which engage directly with the site. each built-in artwork plays a part in shaping the evolving character and distinctive layout of the space, inviting a sense of choreography with temporary works on display. among the 11 works are sculptures and installations by artists mirosław bałka, sara masüger, adrián villar rojas, and monika sosnowska.

in total, the project comprises over 1,500 square meters of gallery space, which shows both site-specific permanent artworks and a regular program of curated, temporary exhibitions. other activates, including an annual symposium and an academic institute, supporting research on gender issues in art and science, are interconnected by means of a residency program which will get underway later in 2019. see designboom’s previous coverage of the museum here.

stairs, 2016-17, monika sosnowska, courtesy the artist and muzeum susch, art stations foundation CH

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project info:

project lead: chasper schmidlin & lukas voellmy
team: andrea steiger, pascal schneuwly, nadinka guscetti, sandra sánchez gañete, lisa mäder, henrik månsson, larissa müllner, amelie mai nguyen
civil engineer: jon andrea könz s.c.r.l. ing. dipl. ETH SIA
light consultant: CH keller design AG
electro engineering: capaul engineering AG
HVAC engineering: kalberer + partner AG
geologist: sieber cassina + handke AG
museum website: museum susch