Fragile Dynamik. Eine Retrospektive von Guido Stadelmann

The retrospective Fragile Dynamics pays tribute to the many years of work by Zurich glass artist Guido Stadelmann (*1952). At the center of the exhibition is the human being, who appears in his fragile glass figures between inwardness, everyday action and physical movement. Roland Widmer, founder of Fundsachenverkauf.ch, initiated this retrospective out of his appreciation for Guido Stadelmann's work. The exhibition is curated by art historians Chelsea A. Neuweiler and Sophia M. Vogt.

The complexity of emotions

Guido Stadelmann's glass figures pass through different states of mind, to which the exhibition is dedicated. The attempt to capture emotions and personality traits ranges from the ancient theory of temperaments according to Hippocrates to modern models such as the DISG system. Fragile Dynamics takes up this consistent approach and groups the figures according to the four archetypal temperaments. The classification makes emotional states legible and creates access to their emotional worlds. Spread over four rooms on the second floor, restless and optimistic sanguine people, sluggish and balanced phlegmatic people, thoughtful and profound melancholic people and irascible and determined choleric people come together. The glass people created by Guido Stadelmann enter into relationships with each other: they seek interaction, linger quietly next to each other, withdraw to the edge of the room or get into tense confrontations.

Everyday actions and physical movement

In addition to the figures that embody inwardness and emotional states, the artist also devotes himself to physical activities or everyday actions. This group of works is exhibited on the third floor. Here, visitors encounter glass people in motion: they play sports - for example with a hula hoop or on a motorcycle -, walk their dogs or playfully interact with traffic signs. After the intensive examination of the emotional figures, this part of the exhibition opens up an amusing and humorous perspective.

The creation of a glass man

The exhibition is complemented by a video showing the creation of a glass person. The entire process can be seen, from the first sketch to melting and molding. The glass no longer appears hard and rigid, but dynamic and powerful - even if the fragility of the material remains.

Guido Stadelmann

Guido Stadelmann grew up in Zurich and trained as an apparatus glassblower in 1968. After four years, he switched to artisan glassblowing and shortly afterwards founded his own studio for glass design in Zurich. His work focuses on recurring motifs such as people and trees. His works have been shown in numerous exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad, including at the Musée Olympique in Lausanne, the Museum Bellerive in Zurich and the Musée de Beaux-Art in Rouen. The retrospective Fragile Dynamics pays tribute to the many years of work by the now retired glass artist and provides a comprehensive insight into the development of his glass sculptures.

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