M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L.'s Pulp exhibition attracts with Baar beer

The next exhibition at the Galerie Urs Reichlin in Zug is different: an old concept is experiencing a revival by the Biel artist couple M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L.

Among other things, the well-known Swiss artist duo M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. are associated with those colourful hidden object pictures that show wild fantasy worlds in a comic-like way; with an enormous wealth of characters and fabulous fragmentation, within which a small white 'blob' from the Milky Way, named "Pulp", always appears as the secret protagonist.

M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. have been part of the repertoire of the Galerie Urs Reichlin in Zug for a long time, and the next exhibition with works by the illustrious artist couple starts at the beginning of November. But this time everything is a bit different: "Pulp's Underworld Bar" is experiencing a revival in the gallery on the Baarerstrasse. First introduced as an art concept by M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. in 1998, this is a generously dimensioned, walk-in installation within which the crazy worlds of the two Biel residents manifest or form themselves in three-dimensional form.

In a darkened room, the coloured cosmos literally comes to life through targeted lighting. Without using any elaborate technology, a fantastic chamber of wonders is created, a cartoonishly cheerful ghost train – and, for once, you become part of this world of bizarre characters.

With “Pulp Bier” from regional production
For the operation of the "Underworld Bar" during the vernissage, the gallery owner Urs Reichlin sought the cooperation of the Baar Brewery. "M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. have created a bottle label," says Reichlin. "This will be used to label the bottle quota for the opening days." The label shows a cheerful, beer-drinking pulp, and the ever-popular Baar beer becomes "pulp beer".

M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. in “Pulps' Underworld Bar” at the Galerie Urs Reichlin              Photo: Matthias Jurt
The artists and the owners n the Pulp Underworld Bar     
“PULPOMANIA IN BASTROPOLIS”              Photos: Galerie Urs Reichlin

The “Underworld Bar” at Galerie Reichlin is thereby a part of the above-mentioned exhibition, which bears the name “Pulp City”. A selection of pictures and works by the artist couple from the past 17 years is shown around the installation – and is thereby a kind of retrospective, which shows the creative development of the duo. As the title of the exhibition suggests, the focus is on those picture series by M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. with an "urban" context.

This overall project at Galerie Reichlin thereby goes beyond that of a ‘conventional’ exhibition. "In order to reach a wider audience, it sometimes takes something more than the 'simple' presentation of works," say gallery owner Urs Reichlin and his business partner Steffen Urbanski. Together, they are looking for that certain something, breaking new ground. And they are prepared to accept considerable effort for this – as is the case now, in which a separate, self-contained space has actually been built up within the gallery.

Art is for everyone
"Our gallery is now also a bar," say Reichlin and Urbanski with a wink, highlighting in this context their common concern to reduce the general fear of contact. Apparently, many people still have such fears about art. But Urs Reichlin emphasizes:

"No one should shy away from entering an art gallery, even if they’re not familiar with the matter."

The exhibition by M. S. Bastian and Isabelle L. with the bar and the Baar beer thereby has a deliberately low-threshold and thoroughly inviting touch with a regional reference and the message "All are welcome".

The exhibition with "Pulp's Underworld Bar" as the main attraction starts with the grand opening on Thursday, 3 November, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, 5 November, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The exhibition will last until mid-January, although the walk-in installation with the bar will stay even longer. Gallery owner Urs Reichlin mentions in passing that the facility is also available for events on request. This is also a constructive aspect in the effort to reduce any "gaps" between people and art.

www.ursreichlin.com