The coexistence of nature and culture
Since 21 August and until 14 November 2010, the banks of the Aare river between Bern and Münsingen have become an art mile: As part of the art project "Art on Water", visitors can discover along the Aare around 70 three-dimensional works of art and experience interventions and performances in five locations.
Artists from all over Switzerland were invited to submit project proposals. The response to the invitation was very large: nearly 270 artists from all over the country and neighboring countries applied to participate in the exhibition with three-dimensional works, installations, interventions and performances.
The art works are exhibited in the midst of a landscape that is strictly protected under conservation but is also a popular and heavily visited recreation area of the region. The artists engage with this particular environment with their projects designed specially for "Art on Water": they deal with the tension between naturalness and artificiality, between the natural and cultural landscape, and between conservation area and recreational park.
"Art on Water" predates the implementation of the water conservation project Aarewasser. It will create a river landscape that gives the water more space. The aim of the art project is to create a long-term balance among social, economic and environmental interests. In the conflict between nature and man-shaped landscape, the works of art set in the framework of "Art on Water" engage with the special conditions of this coexistence.
This exhibition is organized by the Association of Art by Aare, in which six municipalities have joined forces with the Association of Galleries of Bern.
The exhibition is documented in a catalog that can be ordered from the organizers.
Until 14 November 2010
Art on the Water, Art along the Aare between Bern and Münsingen (CH)
Map and directions as well as further information available at www.kunstamwasser.ch
