Last weekend Kunsthalle Zürich celebrated its 40th anniversary and what a celebration it was. The evening felt less like a retrospective and more like a time machine, sending us simultaneously back into the institution’s rich history and forward into its exciting future.
The festivities began with a spirited auction led by Sandra Nedvetskaia, whose energy and elegance turned bidding into a performance of its own. The room buzzed with collectors, artists, and friends of the Kunsthalle, each eager to support the next chapter of this storied institution.
Michael Ringier in front of Kerstin Brätsch, MƎTA, 2021
One of the most memorable moments came from Michael Ringier, who coined a playful new acronym: MILF – Museum I Like to Finance. It was cheeky, clever, and perfectly captured the spirit of the night, art should be taken seriously, but never too seriously. Personally, as someone who dreams of opening a museum one day, I found this both hilarious and inspiring.
Part of the auction: Kerim Seiler, Maintenant, 2010
The art itself was just as remarkable as the guests. Works from some of today’s most compelling artists graced the auction and the halls, reminding us that Kunsthalle Zürich has always been a place where ideas, experimentation, and vision come alive.
I was lucky to be hosted by my dear friend Martina Vondruska, who is part of the Kunsthalle’s gala committee. She did an incredible job orchestrating the evening, and I’m so grateful to her for inviting me to be part of this unforgettable night.
On our way to the event with jewelry designer Angelo De Luca., Co-Founder of Super Mountain in St. Moritz.
Wearing futuristic Cyber Dots by Jean Paul Gaultier and carrying a Moschino masterpiece, quite literally framed for the night.
The dress code playfully spanned the decades, from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s all the way into the future, a living timeline that mirrored the Kunsthalle’s past forty years and its vision ahead.
When fashion meets art: two friends, two Moschino bags, proof that style can be as much a masterpiece as the canvas.
Fittingly, the evening’s motto «Back to the Future» echoed not only the Kunsthalle’s 40th anniversary, but also the 40th birthday of the cult film itself, a double celebration of art, time, and imagination. And yes, the iconic DeLorean car from the movie was parked right in the hall, to everyone’s delight.
Just like the «Not A Celebrity Tequila,» which cares less about the name on the bottle and more about what’s inside, the night itself focused on what truly matters: the essence of art and the people who love it. (Thank you, Gerd Schepers, for the drinks!)
And then came the after-party. DJs «from the future (Zukunft, a former nightclub in Zurich)» transformed the Kunsthalle into a dance floor that stretched through time and space. The night’s theme wasn’t just symbolic, it was experienced, embodied, and danced into the early hours.
Forty years on, Kunsthalle Zürich remains a beacon of artistic energy and cultural curiosity. Here’s to the past, present, and – most importantly – the future.
LoL, Sandra
Part of the auction: Pippa Garner, I’D BE MORE BEAUTIFUL BUT I RAN OUT OF MONEY, 2022
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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