Francis Baudevin

The Kunsthaus Pasquart is pleased to present its spring programme.

Francis Baudevin
February 5–April 2, 2023

Francis Baudevin, born in Bulle (Switzerland) in 1964, has been developing, since the end of the 1980s a body of abstract work that is known to be rigorous, coherent and playful. Always following the same method, the artist takes abstract graphic compositions from our visual domain (logos, packaging, record covers etc.), and then removes all text references—hence, all meaning—to keep only the form itself. All that remain are geometric shapes and flat areas of colour. Though one may recognise the initial reference—often indicated by the painter’s title—these variations end up revealing unexpected similarities to iconic abstract works of art.

In the process of deconstructing a logo, one can be surprised to find parallels with some of the most radical approaches—from Malevich to Mondrian or Barnett Newman. With a certain sense of irony, but never cynicism, Baudevin’s work offers, in its own way, a commentary on the migration of signs, the recycling of the avant-garde and the visual organisation of today’s consumer society.

The exhibition at Kunsthaus Pasquart looks back at three decades of the artist’s work, putting emphasis on his connection to music. As an obsessive collector of records and experimental and underground music enthusiast, Baudevin has often been compared to a DJ in the way he manipulates existing signs and uses samples to make them resonate in a specific way. From this perspective, Baudevin’s paintings appear to be moving away from radical abstraction, towards an embodied pop-like quality.

Curators of the exhibition: Paul Bernard, director Kunsthaus Pasquart and Laura Weber, exhibition assistant

Snow Dancing im Kalten Polar
February 5–April 2, 2023

“Snow dancing” is the name of an early-90s exhibition and book by artist Philippe Parreno. “... im kalten Polar” is a reference to the song “Eisbaer” by the legendary Bernese band Grauzone. Under this enigmatic title, three art spaces from the Bieler scene have been given carte blanche to conceive a project within the building’s grandiose Salle Poma. Through a series of gestures, the three spaces host a sort of institutional critique that is both generous and humorous. And it starts with a big party on the night of fourth to the fifth of February...

Curators of the exhibition: KRONE COURONNE, lieu secret, Lokal-int

Collection
February 5–November 19, 2023 

Throughout 2023, the Kunsthaus will dedicate an entire floor to its collection, presenting regular changes to its display. The collection, which consists of almost 2500 items stored in the basement of the building, has revealed itself as a heterogeneous and unusual heritage of the city of Biel/Bienne. This collection is a peculiarity in a way since a Kunsthaus doesn’t collect works, as this is usually the museum’s role.

For this first selection, the Kunsthaus has invited the artist duo Linus Bill and Adrien Horni to select a series of artworks and to devise, alongside Paul Bernard, director of the Kunsthaus Pasquart, the way they are presented. The idea is not necessarily to showcase the collection’s treasures as a series of trophies, but rather to reflect upon what can be expected from a contemporary art collection. For this first chapter, Bill and Horni have been inspired by the particular atmosphere that characterises the train station’s exit in Biel/Bienne.

Curators of the exhibition: Paul Bernard, Linus Bill, Adrien Horni

Press inquieries: pr@pasquart.ch

Next:
Daniel Pommereulle (curated by Armance Léger)
Mathis Altmann (curated by La Salle de bains, Lyon)
April 23–June 18, 2023

Liz Craft (curated by Paul-Aymar Mourgue d’Algue)
Pauline Curnier Jardin 
July 2–August 27, 2023

Fausta Squatriti (curated by Marjolaine Levy)
Delphine Coindet
September 10–November 19, 2023