Manifesta 11's New Productions: A Video Tour of Zurich's Biennial
Manifesta 11, the itinerant biennial, has taken over Zurich with a network of 'new productions' curated by Christian Jankowski. These joint ventures between artists and local professionals were the most anticipated section but proved the weakest, with inaccessible venues and invisible interventions. For instance, Ceal Floyer's work could not be found, and staff offered no help. Opening hours varied, and some locations only hosted past performances. Many works mirrored those in the traditional exhibition at Helmhaus or Lowenbrau. Positively, the map led visitors to undiscovered Zurich sites like a hospital, church, jewelry store, tourist office, and university. The communication via monumental comics was effective. Notable successful interventions included Jon Kesseler's at a watchmaker and John Arnold's participatory gourmet experience. Franz Erhard Walther's collaboration with textile professionals to create artist uniforms for a luxury hotel felt derivative. A video documents these works.
Key facts
- Manifesta 11 is an itinerant biennial that took over Zurich.
- Curator Christian Jankowski designed a network of 'new productions' across the city.
- The new productions involved collaborations between artists and local professionals.
- The section was considered the weakest and most difficult to access.
- Some interventions were 'invisible' and could not be found, like Ceal Floyer's.
- Opening hours varied, and some locations only hosted past performances.
- Many works mirrored those in the traditional exhibition at Helmhaus or Lowenbrau.
- The map allowed visitors to discover hidden Zurich locations such as a hospital, church, jewelry store, tourist office, and university.
- Communication was done via monumental comics.
- Successful interventions included Jon Kesseler's at a watchmaker and John Arnold's gourmet experience.
- Franz Erhard Walther's collaboration for artist uniforms at a luxury hotel was considered derivative.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Jankowski
- Ceal Floyer
- Jon Kesseler
- John Arnold
- Franz Erhard Walther
Institutions
- Manifesta
- Cabaret Voltaire
- Helmhaus
- Lowenbrau
- Artribune
Locations
- Zurich
- Switzerland