Zilla Leutenegger's 'SPACES BETWEEN' Fills Museum Tinguely with Video Drawings and Kinetic Dialogue

The Museum Tinguely in Basel is showcasing SPACES BETWEEN, an exhibition highlighting the works of Zilla Leutenegger, recognized as a pivotal figure in Swiss contemporary art. This display features ten multimedia installations and three monotypes, strategically positioned throughout the museum. In these environments, Leutenegger's subtle, poetic video drawings interact with the mechanical energy of Jean Tinguely's creations. The artworks inhabit the space like "tenants in an apartment block," engaging in a dialogue that is neither competitive nor harmonious, with each piece asserting its own strong presence. Except for the monotypes, all works were tailored to the museum's unique conditions, offering visitors a glimpse into what the museum calls a playfully poetic, mysteriously inhabited architecture. For instance, ZillaGorilla (2021/2026), which once resided beneath a staircase at Bündner Kunstmuseum, now hides within one of the crates used for Tinguely's sculptures. Another piece, Plein Soleil (2026), features the character Zilla. The exhibition positions Leutenegger's multimedia approach in close relation to Tinguely's kinetic sculptures, emphasizing their coexistence as distinct artistic entities rather than a blend.