Agenda

Chickens are among the most widespread domesticated animals in the world. There are more than twice as many of them as there are humans. Nevertheless, the knowledge about these animals is limited, due to the fact that chickens are mainly considered as consumer goods, without any biological or evolutionary identity. They can’t even sing like other birds.

The exhibition Chicken – Erbe der Dinosaurier (Chicken – legacy of the dinosaurs) illustrates the complex biology and evolutionary history of chickens. Chickens are more than just food: they are interesting and diverse animals. They are the result of an evolutionary process that began with dinosaurs and culminated in a variety of human-influenced forms through the process of domestication.

For centuries, Switzerland has been a country of emigration. Many people fled poverty; some were seeking adventure or business opportunities, still others were coerced into leaving their home or worked as missionaires or NGO’s.

Around 11% of Swiss citizens (around 800 000)  live abroad today. This group is also referred to as ‘the fifth Switzerland’. They become a much more visible community especially in the lead-up to voting in any referenda. Most of them live in Europe.

The Auslandschweizer-Organisation (ASO)/ Organisation des Suisses de l’étranger (OSE) represents their interests vis-à-vis the Swiss authorities and parliament (see also: www.swisscommunity.org).

The exhibition (Leaving Switserland. Emigration stories after 1848) explores the day-to-day realities of emigrant life, the success stories of the few, and the ordinary life of the many. The Guggenheims, for example, emigrated to the USA in the 19th century and became one of the richest families in the country or the brothers Samuel and Johann Berger, who emigrated to Russia in 1874 and became successful cheesemakers. The history of the hoteliers, pastrycooks and confectioners from Graubünden is relatively well known.

The exhibition gives a good insight into the motives and facts of the emigration from 1848 onwards.

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (1609-1664), also known as ‘Il Grechetto’,  was an Italian draughtsman and pioneering experimenter in graphic art and printmaking.

This innovative master, whose graphic works bear the influence of Rembrandt van Rhijn (1606-1669), invented the monotype technique in the 17th century. His painterly brush drawings in oils were an important source of inspiration for other artists.

He embodies everything that makes the Baroque so fascinating: its celebration of the artistic brilliance, opulent magnificence and a striving to enrapture the viewer’s senses.

The exhibition of some 80 works is the first monographic presentation of Castiglione’s graphic oeuvre in a German-speaking country.