Joël Gessler manages art and architecture projects, overseeing the selection and presentation of artists, supporting the jury process, conducting site inspections, and drafting the jury report.
Swiss Cantons, cities and municipalities frequently allocate a portion of the construction costs for building projects to the integration of art. This approach, known as «art and architecture», is guided by various selection procedures.
A temporary school for 650 pupils is being planned and realized as a branch of the Wiedikon cantonal school on the site of the former freight depot on Hohlstrasse in Zurich. Joël Gessler accompanied the construction project as an external art expert on behalf of the Canton of Zurich Building Department.
For the art and architecture project, the focus was placed on artists who pursue a research-based approach in their work and are interested in ecological themes, natural materials and scientific processes. Joël Gessler’s activities included developing a curatorial concept, proposing and presenting suitable artists, supporting the jury process and writing the final report.
The winning project, «Freiläufer», by artist Jan Vorisek is an orange windmill. In a deliberate shift regarding the expected usefulness of the device, Vorisek has stripped the wind turbine of its function as a source of energy. It is an artistic commentary on contemporary energy and environmental issues and an invitation to reflect on our use of renewable and finite resources.
The images are visualizations for the project entry. They do not show the final object. All images © Jan Vorisek. With the kind permission of the Building Department of the Canton of Zurich.
