John M Armleder's 'Observatoires' at MAH Geneva: A Playful Dialogue with the Museum Collection

John M Armleder (Geneva, 1948) has curated 'Observatoires' at the MAH – Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva, where he acts as both artist and curator. The exhibition, running until October 29, 2026, features a giant strobe ball at the entrance, minimalist paintings, orchid vases on tractor wheels surrounded by historical floral paintings, ancient musical instruments (including one made from a turtle shell), and Armleder's 1984 work 'Painting with coat hanger'. Neon lights are juxtaposed with historical lamps. The show includes a room with 15th-century cathedral stained glass windows and reliquaries, followed by a display of stuffed, mummified, and sculpted animals alongside Armleder's blue octopuses and orange lobsters painted on walls. In the armory, Armleder covered walls with silver glitter paper and hung empty frames from the collection, creating a pacifist statement—he was imprisoned for four months in 1967 for refusing military service. Some sections will evolve over the 10-month duration, with objects swapped to reveal new collection materials. The exhibition emphasizes multiplicity and accidental connections, reflecting Armleder's career spanning the 20th and 21st centuries.