Peter Fischli David Weiss: How to Work Better

For more than three decades, Peter Fischli (b. 1952) and David Weiss (1946–2012) collaborated on a body of work that brilliantly exploits humor and banality, offering a deceptively casual meditation on how we perceive everyday life. In conjunction with Peter Fischli David Weiss: How to Work Better, the most thorough investigation to date of their joint production, the Guggenheim presents a lively series of programs to consider ideas surrounding their practice. On view February 5–April 27, 2016. 
 

Artist talk

The Elaine Terner Cooper Education Fund: Conversations with Contemporary Artists: Peter Fischli with Hans Ulrich Obrist
Sunday, February 7, 4:30pm
Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director of Exhibitions and Programmes, Serpentine Gallery, London, joins Peter Fischli to discuss his 33-year collaboration with the late David Weiss. Followed by a reception and exhibition viewing. Free for students with RSVP.

This public program is made possible in part with support from the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York.

Multidisciplinary program

It Takes Two
Friday, April 22, 7pm–Saturday, April 23, 2am
Why do creative minds gravitate toward one another? What is the unique result of creating in pairs? Why is the trope of the comic-tragic duo so prevalent in film and literature? The museum hosts an extended program with speakers and performers from a variety of fields to address these questions through a wide range of thoughtful and engaging presentations. The event is organized by exhibition curators Nancy Spector and Nat Trotman. Schedule and entry details to be announced in April. Check the website for updates.

Film screenings

The Least Resistance and The Right Way
Daily, February 5–April 27, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
Two films follow Rat and Bear, the iconic alter egos of Peter Fischli and David Weiss, as they set out to strike it rich in the Los Angeles art world (The Least Resistance, 1980–81, 29 minutes) and wander aimlessly through a bucolic mountainside landscape (The Right Way, 1983, 55 minutes). Free with museum admission. Screening times subject to change.

Tours

Curator’s Eye
Fridays, 12pm
These focused tours are led by exhibition curators. Free with museum admission.

February 12
Nancy Spector, Deputy Director and David and Jennifer Stockman Chief Curator

March 25
Nat Trotman, Curator, Performance and Media
This tour will be interpreted in ASL.

April 8
Anne Wheeler, Assistant Curator

Mind’s Eye
Monday, April 4, 6:30pm
This tour and workshop for visitors who are blind or have low vision will explore the exhibition through touch and verbal description. RSVP required. Email access@guggenheim.org or call T (212) 630 4355.

Credits
Major support for the exhibition has been provided by Laurenz Foundation, Schaulager, Basel.

The Leadership Committee for Peter Fischli David Weiss: How to Work Better is gratefully acknowledged for its support, with special thanks to Chairs Maja Oeri and Hans Bodenmann. Additional support is provided by Matthew Marks; Monika Sprüth and Philomene Magers; Galerie Eva Presenhuber; Glenstone; Collection Ringier; Alfred Richterich; Per Skarstedt; Walter A. Bechtler Foundation, Switzerland; Thomas Ammann Fine Art AG, Zürich; Ulla Dreyfus-Best; Hauser & Wirth; Gigi and Andrea Kracht; Arend and Brigitte Oetker; and Sylvie Winckler.

Funding is also generously provided by Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne, National Endowment for the Arts, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, and New York State Council on the Arts.

The Sackler Center for Arts Education is a gift of the Mortimer D. Sackler Family. Endowment funding is provided by The Engelberg Foundation, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, The Elaine Terner Cooper Foundation, and the Esther Simon Charitable Trust. Educational activities and/or public programs are made possible in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, The Hilla von Rebay Foundation, and The Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation. Funding is also provided by The Keith Haring Foundation; Deutsche Bank; the Windgate Charitable Foundation; the Sidney E. Frank Foundation; The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; Guggenheim Partners, LLC; the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation; the Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust; and The Barker Welfare Foundation. Additional support from the Gap Foundation; Katherine and Peter Kend; the Jane A. Lehman and Alan G. Lehman Foundation; Con Edison; the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Inc.; the Henry E. Niles Foundation, Inc.; and the Metzger-Price Fund, Inc. is gratefully acknowledged. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation thanks the members of the Education Committee for their support.