The Triennial showcases the diversity of the regional cultural scene

The Cham Triennial 2024 is exhibiting the works of 40 artists in the Kalandersaal of the Papieri: the exhibition opens today, 31 October.

The KunstKubus in Cham is a small, elegant space for creative work, where exhibitions have been held several times a year since it was founded in 2012. But for a larger showcase of regional creativity in the fields of art and photography, the committee has to take a risk: following the exhibitions in 2017 and 2021, the Triennial 2024 is once again taking place in the Kalandersaal at the Papieri in Cham.

There, 40 artists - either from Cham or with a connection to Cham - are presenting their works: paintings, sculptures and installations, and the spectrum is certainly broad. Each artist has a table – and these are arranged alphabetically -  in the rustic industrial hall, which means that smaller formats have to be selected. The viewers are given a good overview as they walk through the rows, however.

The subjects of the individual works, as well as the styles and techniques, are as varied as the creative participants: watercolour, acrylic, pencil, coloured pencil, fineliner, felt-tip pen, photoprint, graphics, ceramics, charcoal, monotype, oil, pigments, screen printing and sculptures. ‘We haven't organised a jury, everyone can take part,’ says committee member Ignaz Staub.

Every three years, the Kunst Kubus Cham association organises an exhibition featuring local artists. In the picture: the sculptures by Cham sculptor Daniel Züsli in the Kalandersaal of the Papieri in Cham            Photo: Stefan Kaiser
 

Paintings with a lot of imagination
Among the abstractions, the works in mixed media by Susanne Albrecht, in which delicate motifs are interwoven into the colours, stand out. Andrea Röthlin's monotypes on Japanese paper exude a peculiar charm. ‘This is my first exhibition, and I'm very surprised by it,’ she says, adding: 'The KunstKubus commitment is extraordinary. It enriches Zug's cultural landscape. A lot of heart and soul goes into it.’

P. Bättig is also taking part for the first time, showing watercolours of landscapes that she has painted from memory. She thinks the Kalandersaal with its great atmosphere is ‘really cool’. Brigitt Erne and Janine Landtwing have drawn mysterious subjects from their imagination. Some drawings, such as Mirjam Diener's ‘Kariestomographie’ or those by Sira Trinkler, show incredible patience, as they were created stroke by stroke with gel or pencil over hours of work. Sira Trinkler plans to turn her attention to new themes in the future.

A ‘Chomer Bear’ as a prize
Liselotte Briner certainly also needs sensitive fingers for her small ceramic figures, which all appear to be in motion, and for her crockery. Even smaller are the figures and vehicles such as the three centimetre tall motorbike that Dees has created. Andrea Leisinger has created a wooden colour box relief. Mel Sommerhalder surprises with the ‘Pödel’, a papier-mâché dog whose belly you can look into. Daniel Züsli is also represented with a large selection of works. Among other things, he has focussed on ‘childhood and technology’, according to his principle: ‘Nothing beats playing with wood.’

The curator of the KunstKubus, Heiri Scherer, has created a small booklet in which one work by each of the 40 artists at the 2024 exhibition is listed. It also contains the history of the KunstKubus, with all the major exhibitions. In the run-up to the opening, committee member Ignaz Staub, who is always involved in the preparations, said: ‘Some of the participants are with us once again. But we are very pleased with the large turnout in this beautiful room.’ And he points out that an audience award will be presented for the first time. The winner will receive a ‘Chomer Bear’ carved by local sculptor Daniel Züsli.

Note:
The Cham Triennial 2024 in the Kalandersaal of the Papieri runs from 31 October to 3 November: today Thursday, 5 - 8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm, with the Audience Award ceremony at 4 pm.