Jungkunst celebrates 20th anniversary of art exhibition in Winterthur
Jungkunst, a Swiss art exhibition, celebrates its 20th anniversary this month in Winterthur. Founded in 2006 as a counter-proposal to traditional art galleries, the event has evolved into a cultural fixture and now operates out of Halle 710 in the Neuhegi district.
Two Decades of Artistic Rebellion in Winterthur
When Martin Landolt, Tom Stierli, and Andreas Schmucki launched the first Jungkunst in 2006, their primary goal was to dismantle the perceived stiffness of the art world. They sought a space where art could be viewed informally, famously pairing exhibitions with beer rather than standard vernissage protocols. The inaugural event attracted 3,500 visitors, a turnout that forced the founders to recruit friends on short notice to manage the unexpected crowd.
The event’s history is marked by resourceful, often unorthodox problem-solving. During its early years at the City Hall site, the organizers faced a logistical hurdle: the building had a single, 90-centimeter-wide entrance. To widen this access point, the team rented a shipping container and modified it to serve as a makeshift portal. This experience left the organization with two shipping containers, which have been repurposed for various installations and, on one occasion, a cinema that required modifications to meet fire safety standards.
From Industrial Sites to Neuhegi
The exhibition’s footprint has shifted alongside Winterthur’s urban development. After six years in the City Hall, Jungkunst moved to Halle 52 at Katharina-Sulzer-Platz. The site was provided by the owner, Implenia, in exchange for maintenance work. The organizers famously removed 20 centimeters of bird waste from the floor before transforming the space. To mark their 10th anniversary, the team constructed a temporary museum on the plaza using 50 shipping containers.
By 2022, the original founders had fully stepped back from the association. Martin Landolt, the final remaining founder, opted not to oversee the move to the current venue, Halle 710 in Neuhegi. While the new location offers aesthetic benefits and ample space, the transition has presented new challenges for the organization.
Jungkunst Draws 350 Portfolios Despite Slight Audience Decline
Michèle Bischoff, the communications officer for Jungkunst, notes that the move to Neuhegi has changed how the local public perceives the neighborhood’s cultural activities. Despite the venue’s quality, audience numbers have seen a slight decline in recent years, a trend exacerbated by a storm during last year’s exhibition.
However, the event remains a platform for emerging talent. The open call for submissions drew over 350 portfolios from Swiss artists. The current program features 22 distinct artistic positions across two floors, supplemented by nightly performances and concerts featuring local musicians. This year the event also changed its primary beer supplier from Chopfab to Stadtguet to maintain its local roots as it enters its third decade.
Logistical Complexities of Public Art Events
The scale of Jungkunst’s operations has necessitated significant logistical support. In peak years, attendance exceeded 10,000, requiring extensive volunteer coordination. Past initiatives included stacking 1,000 beverage crates at the entrance and even modifying a camping trailer—which was three centimeters too wide for the freight elevator—to fit the event’s theme.