Robert Estermann & Oz Oderbolz
Opening: 17.03.23 at 18:00
Guided tour by the curators 26.04.23 at 18:00
17.03.23 – 13.05.23
PDF Download of Exhibition Text and Work Descriptions
PDF Download of Exhibition Map and Bios
The art of Estermann and Oderbolz is preoccupied with trespassing and entering that boundary-breaking space which permits freedom, untame cravings, and observes the wilder sides of human nature. In a remarkable tension, this exhibition will look at topics such as the history of the human rider, the anti-hero, fetish, masculinity and ambivalence amongst other things. Through their different uses of subcultural expressions, staging, caricature and the sleekness of styling, they reshape normative failure into queer success. Bareback or with a saddle, we enter a world of equestrian stunts, perversely elegant lines, and a plethora of morphed props. We get a glimpse of the vulnerable grace of the body, be it through Estermann’s unique encounters between boys and horses or Oderbolz’s sculptures jumping over archetypal hurdles.
Robert Estermann
Robert Estermann (born 1970, Lucerne, Switzerland) lives and works in Zurich and Berlin. He studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris from 1992 to 1997 and was a fellow at the Jan van Eyck Academie in Maastricht from 1999 to 2001. Estermann has exhibited extensively both in Switzerland and internationally. His most recent solo exhibitions include: Galleria Di Berna, Stadtgalerie Bern, Bern, Switzerland (2021); Kosmos Lem, Rechenzentrum, Potsdam, Germany (2021); World Drawing Class, Hilfiker Kunstprojekte, Lucerne, Switzerland (solo, 2019); Wild Youths Riot School, Museum Jajaknamusoup, Hoengseong-gun, South Korea (2018); They Printed It, Kunsthalle Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (2015); Eco-Echo-Echo, Corriente Alterna, Lima, Peru (2015). Prizes and scholarships include: Manor Art Prize, Lucerne (2007); Swiss Art Awards (2005, 2007, 2009); Werkbeitrag des Kantons Zürich (2005, 2007, 2012); Jury Prize (Preis der Zentralschweizer Kantone) (2005); Artist-in-Residence, Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht (1999-2001). His work is held in collections such as Canton of Zurich, City of Zurich, Kunstmuseum Luzern, Fondation CMC Agnès B., Paris, Sammlung Hoffmann La-Roche, Metropolitan Museum, New York, FRAC Franche-Comté, Besançon, FRAC PACA, Marseille as well as The Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC.
Oz Oderbolz
Oz Oderbolz (born 1988, Basel, Switzerland) lives and works in Zurich. They studied physical theatre at Accademia Dimitri in Ticino. They are currently finishing their Fine Arts Bachelor at ZHdK (2019 – 2023). A selection of their most recent exhibitions include: Garden of Earthly Delights, Nest, ZHdK, Zurich (2022); En Suit,Windhager von Kaenel, Lausanne (2022); UFFICIO DELLA NOTTE, Zurich (2022); Piece of Me, Coalmine, Winterthur (2022); Camp Fires, Rote Fabrik, Zurich (2021); Mi Casa Es Su Casa, Haus für Kunst Uri, Altdorf, Switzerland (2018); Groupshow, Doomed Gallery, London, England (2017); Urner Werk- und Förderausstellung, Haus für Kunst Uri, Altdorf, Switzerland (2013). Oz presented performative works at Schauspielhaus Zurich in 2020 and at Egg London Showcase in 2017. They have been co-curating TOXI space in Zurich since 2021.
