Bally Foundation Opens New Art Space at Villa Heleneum on Lake Lugano
The Bally Foundation has officially opened its headquarters at Villa Heleneum in Castagnola, Lugano, Switzerland, with the exhibition "Un Lac Inconnu," which will be available until September 24. Constructed between 1930 and 1934 for Hélène Bieber, the villa showcases neoclassical design influenced by the Petit Trianon. Following Bieber's passing, it became a venue for piano masterclasses and later the Istituto Ticinese di Alti Studi. From 1988 onward, it has served as the Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee. Curated by Director Vittoria Matarrese, the inaugural exhibition features over twenty artists, including Vito Acconci and Rebecca Horn, focusing on themes drawn from Proust. The foundation aims to promote artist residencies and community involvement. Established in 1851, Bally has a rich legacy, including providing gear for Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their Everest expedition.
Key facts
- Bally Foundation opens new art space at Villa Heleneum in Castagnola, Lugano, Switzerland.
- Villa Heleneum built 1930–1934 for Hélène Bieber, a former dancer from Frankfurt.
- Bieber envisioned a cultural salon inspired by Monte Verità but faced economic and wartime obstacles.
- Villa modeled after Petit Trianon at Versailles; wrought-iron gate features Bieber's initial 'H.'
- After Bieber's death (1967), villa hosted piano masterclasses (1969–1971) with Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and Franco Ferrara, attended by Martha Argerich.
- Elémire Zolla directed Istituto Ticinese di Alti Studi at the villa, hosting scholars.
- From 1988, villa housed Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee (now at Villa Malpensata).
- Vittoria Matarrese appointed director of Bally Foundation in November by CEO Nicolas Girotto.
- Inaugural exhibition 'Un Lac Inconnu' runs until September 24, featuring over twenty artists.
- Exhibition includes works by Vito Acconci, Rebecca Horn, Caroline Bachmann, Petrit Halilaj & Álvaro Urbano, Ligia Dias, Karim Forlin, Haim Steinbach, Emilija Škarnulytė, Elise Peroi.
- Haim Steinbach's vinyl text 'Close your eyes' installed at a large horizontal window.
- Bally founded in 1851 by Carl Franz Bally; provided boots for Hillary and Norgay's 1953 Everest ascent.
Entities
Artists
- Hélène Bieber
- Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
- Franco Ferrara
- Martha Argerich
- Elémire Zolla
- Vittoria Matarrese
- Nicolas Girotto
- Vito Acconci
- Rebecca Horn
- Caroline Bachmann
- Petrit Halilaj
- Álvaro Urbano
- Ligia Dias
- Karim Forlin
- Haim Steinbach
- Emilija Škarnulytė
- Elise Peroi
- Carl Franz Bally
- Charlie Chaplin
- Empress Sisi
- Edmund Hillary
- Tenzing Norgay
- Marie Antoinette
Institutions
- Bally Foundation
- Villa Heleneum
- Istituto Ticinese di Alti Studi
- Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee
- Villa Malpensata
- Bally
- Palais de Tokyo
- Villa Medici
- Radio-Televisione della Svizzera italiana
- Artribune
Locations
- Castagnola
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Lake Lugano
- Frankfurt
- Paris
- Versailles
- Monte Verità
- Gulf of Naples
- Everest
- Rehovot
- Israel
- Kosterrc
- Madrid
- Vilnius
- Brescia