Monster Chetwynd «Zardoz»

Monster Chetwynd (born 1973 in London, lives in Zurich) is the first female artist to realize a commissioned work for the Kunsthaus Zürich's Garden of Art. A monumental, over eight-meter-high head rises up there - a sculpture that is both a space for thought and a space for play. Inspired by the grotesque figures of the 16th century garden of Bomarzo, by science fiction visions of the 1970s and the tradition of the Follies, the work invites children and adults alike to enter and explore it. The walk-on climbing frame inside transforms the monumental into the accessible and activates the outdoor space designed by David Chipperfield as a genuine "garden of art" for the first time.

Chetwynd's work combines art history, pop culture and feminist strategies to create a sculpture that combines play, irritation and reflection. In collaboration with architects and engineers, including the start-up Contouro, which emerged from ETH Zurich and is associated with the Chair of Digital Building Technologies, a visionary project has been realized that adds a participatory dimension to the classic idea of the Folly. Instead of erecting a monument, a space for thought and experience is being created that makes art tangible to the senses and tests new forms of garden art. The sculpture will remain freely accessible in the garden of the Kunsthaus Zürich until 2027 and sends a strong signal for contemporary art in public spaces.

Supported by the Hans Imholz Foundation, the Tarbaca Indigo Foundation, the Dr. Georg and Josi Guggenheim Foundation and private benefactors of the Gateway Fund, a fund to support public art installations at the Kunsthaus Zürich.

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Monster Chetwynd

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