The museum boasts a remarkable assortment of over 10,000 artworks, dating back to 1816. Among these masterpieces are the works of renowned Swiss artists, including the extraordinary Giacomettis – a father and son duo. During my recent visit, one of the floors showcased a captivating temporary exhibition featuring more than 100 paintings by Gustav Buchet, a significant figure in the avant-garde movements of early 20th-century Switzerland. However, it was the realistic paintings of François Bocion that truly fascinated me. Bocion’s expertise lay in capturing the elusive beauty of light on water, particularly in his stunning depictions of working boatmen along Lake Geneva in the 19th century. His obsession with this task has resulted in masterful artwork that is a sight to behold.
Despite its Swiss focus, the museum also proudly possesses and displays works by prominent international artists such as Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Rodin. Additionally, a current exhibition at the museum features the pioneering work of Magdalena Abakanowicz, a trailblazer in the field of textile art, which will be available for viewing until late September.
The newest addition to the Plateforme 10 complex graces the far end of the plaza, taking the form of an immense white cube with windows subtly punctuating its fractured exterior. This striking building, designed by Portuguese architects Francisco and Manuel Aires Mateus, was opened in June 2022, alongside the plaza. Within this cube, you will find the other two museums in the quarter: the renowned Photo Elysée, the canton’s dedicated photography museum, and Mudac, a museum showcasing design and contemporary applied arts.
Upon entering the cube, one is struck by the combination of solidity and an airy atmosphere on the ground level. Descending downstairs, visitors are greeted by an interactive photography studio, which stands out as a magnificent example of effective museum education. Here, guests have the opportunity to dress up with accessories, capture digital photographs, and then edit them on a light table – all designed to teach the fundamental principles of framing and composition.
The photo exhibitions within the Elysée museum were particularly remarkable during a district-wide exhibition on trains in art. The display included captivating photographs by esteemed artists such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Nan Goldin. Many of these images reminded viewers of the different ways in which trains can symbolize escape and adventure, but also desperation and uncertainty. The poignant black-and-white photographs depicting war refugees boarding trains, taken over 70 years ago, evoked a hauntingly timeless quality that resonates even today.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
