Agenda

Raphael Ritz (1829-1894) was long considered an artist who mainly focused on the past and his canton (Valais), in contrast to his famous namesake, the hotelier César Ritz (1850-1918).

Raphael Ritz’s career between Valais and Düsseldorf, his writings and his work, however, bear witness to a cosmopolitan artist.

The exhibition (Raphael Ritz. Aujourd´hui/Heute) sheds new light on the work of this artist. Moreover, the exhibition is complemented by a selection of contemporary photographs by some ten photographers, including Laurence Bonvin, Nicolas Faure, Yann Gross and Corinne Vionnet.

The accompanying sound exhibition Raphaëlle / Raffaela by Sabine Zaalene (1969) is a female echo of the work of Raphael Ritz.

Since ancient times, people have stored ice in ice chests, basements or other storage facilities.

In the 20th century, new were machines were invented, such as the refrigerator.

The exhibition (partly taken from the Cité des Sciences in Paris) shows the many facets of cold, both natural and manufactured.

A second section looks at the strategies that living things, plants, animals and humans, use to protect themselves from extreme temperatures, both cold and heat.

Animals matter human beings. People cannot imagine life without them. This relationship is varied and ambivalent.

Animals were domesticated over many thousands of years, and today they are members of our families. Human beings seek out the company of animals, both living and in other forms.

In the relationship with animals, humans continue to adopt the role of master, however. We use them for work, transport, and in wartime. In a farmhouse setting. Milking stools, tail clamps for cows, and beehives point to animals as sources of nutrition.

The tables are turned when animals and deities in animal form take precedence over human beings. The latter enter into a special compact with the former who are worshipped by them.

“ animalistic! One Theme – Four Exhibitions ” is a joint project by four Basel museums: Museum der Kulturen Basel, Historisches Museum Basel – Musikmuseum, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, and Pharmaziemuseum Basel: tierischbasel.ch.