The press release issued by the municipality of Wollerau in August 2016 describes the motives and background to this highly authentic ‘art in architecture’ project, offers a glimpse behind the scenes and explains why the decision was made to commission Isabelle Habegger’s ‘Moving Art’.

“Art you can touch. To ensure that memories of the anniversary year ‘800 Years of Wollerau’ remain alive for a long time to come, the municipality has commissioned a sculpture. The artist Isabelle Habegger is creating the ‘CUBUS’, thereby giving the anniversary an aesthetic form.

“Panta rhei – Everything flows,” said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, alluding to the eternal change of existence. “Nothing in life stands still; it always moves on,” is a conviction shared by Isabelle Habegger. And the sculptor also transfers this sense of movement to her sculptures. They do not remain static, but turn in the wind or can be moved by the viewer’s hand. The artist gives her moving objects a sense of grounding through the choice of material, thereby combining the supposed opposites of movement and permanence. “I prefer to work with chrome steel,” says Isabelle Habegger, who has lived in Wollerau since 2000 and also runs painting courses there.

Mobility is also her personal guiding principle. When she was invited by the municipality of Wollerau, along with other artists, to submit a concept sketch with a description for the anniversary sculpture, she gladly accepted the challenge. For the sculptor and painter, every competition is both a risk and an opportunity for further development. “And I like to push beyond my limits,” says the Neuchâtel native.

Art you can touch

The vision that the anniversary sculpture would be a cube flashed before the artist’s inner eye during a moment of relaxation. With its clean lines, it will complement the austere form of the building on the square in front of the town hall, whilst adding a touch of playfulness. For Isabelle Habegger creates art you can touch. Physical effort is required right from the creative process. Protected by gloves and goggles, she cuts heavy metal tubes, welds and grinds the objects until she is satisfied.

The anniversary sculpture will be unveiled at the opening of the anniversary year on 26 November 2016. Isabelle Habegger is really looking forward to this moment, as she feels very honoured that her work was chosen. Over the course of the anniversary year, the ‘CUBUS’ will continue to evolve, as all the events will be depicted on it. As I said: everything is in flux.”

Further links:

• Press release, 23 August 2016, Municipality of Wollerau (CH)
• Opening of the anniversary year: 26 November 2016, 4.15 pm | 8832 Wollerau | Village square
• YouTube video: Wollerau opening
• Press article 11/2016
• BURN-IN Folder 2016