Kunstmuseum Lucerne's 'Referenz und Neigung' Showcases 21st-Century Acquisitions

The Kunstmuseum Lucerne, known for its Swiss art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, presents 'Referenz und Neigung' (Reference and Inclination), an exhibition of recent acquisitions focusing on 21st-century art. Held from February 27 to June 27, 2010, in the new cultural and congress center designed by Jean Nouvel, the show features works by 25 artists from Australia, Asia, Israel, South Africa, Europe, and Switzerland. The exhibition centers on the individual's interaction with their environment, society, and the world. Notable works include Berlinde de Bruyckere's 'Robin V' (2006-2007), which bridges the historical collection, and Ugo Rondinone's painted star constellations referencing Thomas Ruff's photographs. Valérie Favre's 'Lapine Univers' series ironically refers to an alter ego, while Urs Lüthi's life-size wax figure 'The Revenge' (2003) parodies his own series 'Art is the better life'. Anton Egloff's 'Étoiles filantes' (1999-2003), originally horizontal cardboard constellations, are displayed vertically. Christoph Rütimann's video 'Hängen am Museum' (2002) shows the artist suspended in a metal frame from a crane circling the museum roof. Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba's 'Happy New Year – Memorial Project Vietnam II' (2003) features a multicolored dragon underwater, evoking the Tet Offensive. A publication by Peter Fischer and Christoph Lichtin, 'Modell für ein Museum. Die Sammlungsausstellungen des Kunstmuseums Luzern 2005-2010', accompanies the exhibition.