About

Andreas Hagenbach (*Basel, Switzerland) 

Contact: fotografo[-a-t-]hagenbach.info

Artist Statement

The visual work of Andreas Hagenbach is what he mostly presents to the public but it draws very much from the other side of the coin, the body centered work. His approach is research-driven and the results include photography, video, sound, text, performance and large-scale installations. His projects involve story telling and stories are driving his works. Often something in his proximity, which he does not quite understand triggers him to set out to explore these issues to make sense of them at a larger scale. 

This takes him into a field where individual stories are juxtaposed against social, (geo)political, metaphysical or technological contexts. He thereby focuses how traumatic stories inscribe themselves into individual bodies before settling in the subconscious sphere of a society or a nation. He likes to challenge so called common narratives and often enough is able to provide new answers to old questions. 

He currently works in both Africa and Europe. His last residency in Africa was supported by Atelier Mondial, Basel and Pro Helvetia, Johannesburg. 

Education

Fluent in Baseldytsch, German, French, English, Italian, Portuguese and Danish. Currently learns Swahili.

  • Guest listener Elektronisches Studio / Musikakademie Basel 1998 - 2001
  • Fachklasse für Audiovisuelle Gestaltung, HGK Basel; 1997 - 2000
  • School of Stage Arts Teatret Cantabile 2, Vordingborg/DK; 1992 - 1993
  • Istituto di Arte Scenica, Pontremoli/I; 1991 - 1992
  • Apprenticeship Interior Design 1985 - 1989

Capoeira Angola > since the mid-90s from many different Brazilian 'mestres' in Brazil, Europe and Africa
Butoh dance and Noguchi Taiso > Imre Thormann (France) and Minako Seki (Spain/Germany)
Throughout the many years explores in workshops several other contemporary dance techniques such as Gaga, Contact Improvisation, Feldenkreis etc.
Thai Yoga Massage and "Osteothai" > Zoltan Gyorgivcs (Hungary/Switzerland), Nuria Sidler (Switzerland) and Takis Vangelis (Greece)
Geistiges Heilen > Matthias Weiss, Kientalerhof

Residencies

  • Bagamoyo, Tanzania, 2023-2024
  • Bagamoyo, Tanzania, 2022
  • Maputo, Mozambique, 2022
  • Arad, Israel 2018/19
  • Nairs, Switzerland 2018
  • Jerusalem, Israel 2018
  • Almog, Palestine 2017
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands 2012
  • Ramallah, Palestine 2011
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands 2010
  • Trondheim, Norway 2006
  • Fremantle, Australia 2005
  • Ekenäs, Finland 2005
  • Fremantle, Australia 2003
  • Tbilisi, Georgia 2002
  • Tbilisi, Georgia 2001


Selected Shows (as artist)

  • Biosfèra, group show, PRISMA Studio, Genova/IT 2019
  • Pfand, solo show, Fenster Basel, Basel/CH 2019
  • Srinagar Biennal Basel, Ausstellungsraum Klingental, Basel/CH 2018
  • Wa(h)re Angst, group show, curated by Janusz Czech, Pforzheim/DE 2017
  • Das Esszimmer im Weltraum, curated by Kathrin Borer, Basel/CH 2017
  • Nachrichten an den Tag, solo show, curated by Richard Tisserand, Kunstraum Kreuzlingen, Kreuzlingen/CH 2015
  • Der trojanische Hund, group show, curated by Kathrin Borer and Andreas Hagenbach, Villa Renata, Basel/CH 2015
  • Truffes & Trouvailles, group show, curated by Claudia Spinelli, Kunstraum Baden/CH 2014
  • WARZONE PEACE, group show, curated by Claudia Spinelli, Kunstraum Baden, Baden/CH 2014.
  • OFF-Fototage, group show, curated by Chri Frautschi, Biel/ CH 2013.
  • Aber nein, man versprach sich viel durchs Hinauffahren und hörte nicht auf die Stimme im Radio. Dieses liess sich nicht mehr abschalten, group show, Basel/CH 2012
  • this land must be created in the air since it cannot exist on the ground, solo show, Lokal-Int, Biel/CH 2012
  • Sovereign Art Prize Retrospective, group show, St.Peter Port/UK 2010 Sovereign European Art Prize 2010, group show, Barbican Centre, London/UK 2010
  • Abgeschwächter Einbezug des Vorgefallenen, solo show, Theater Roxy, Birsfelden/CH 2009
  • Million Dollar Ocean Views Up Here, solo showcurated by Sabine Schaschl, Kunsthaus Baselland, Muttenz/CH 2006
  • Brückenorakel, solo show, lokal-int, Biel/CH 2008


Selected shows (as curator)

  • Matrix Intima, Prisma Studio, Genova/IT 2019
  • Opportunismes, AEDEN, Regionale 17, Strasbourg/F 2016
  • Lebenslügen, FABRIKculture Hegenheim, Regionale 16, Hegenheim/F 2015
  • Coping with Distance, Photoforum Pasquart, Biel/CH 2015
  • Terra Nostra, Photoforum Pasquart, Biel/CH 2013
  • Printroom Rotterdam @KASKO, LISTE 17, Basel/CH 2012
  • Prix Photoforum SELECTION/AUSWAHL 2012 – 20. Edition, Photoforum Pasquart, Biel/CH 2012

Bibliography

  • Wa(h)re Angst - agora42 4/2017, Stuttgart/DE 2017
  • novo, Strasbourg/F 2017
  • DAIG - Dead Art Magazine; Biel/CH 2011
  • Edition Fasting Plockare; Biel/CH 2009
  • Vad rummen döljer, p.4 Västra Nyland Jan 28; Ekenäs/FI 2005
  • Camera Austria 88/2004, Graz/AT 2004
  • subtext nr 1/2/3/4; Basel/CH 2004
  • After-shock for art’s sake, p.1 Guardian Express Aug 5; Perth/AU 2003
  • Marshutka from the artistic viewpoint, 24 hours Oct 23; Tbilisi/GE 2002
  • “The Little Monsters” p.7 Georgia Today Nov 1; Tbilisi/GE 2002
  • Schwarzmeer, catalogue; Basel/CH 2002
  • www.i-love-u.ch, e-zine; 2002
  • Peacetimes; Tbilisi/GE 2002
  • Magazin Basler Zeitung; Basel/CH 2001
  • bonsoir, catalogue; Basel/CH 2000

Grants

  • Kulturpauschale Basel-Stadt
  • Pro Helvetia (on various occasions from 2002 onwards)
  • Fachausschuss beider Basel für Film, Video und Medien
  • Atelier Mondial (on various occasions from 2001 onwards)

Teaching experiences

  • Noguchi Taiso (since 2017)
  • Capoeira Angola (since 2018)
  • Movement research (since 2012)
  • Thai Yoga Massage (since 2023)

Relevant art related work experiences

  • Photographer for editorial, dance, theater and music (current)
  • Art technician (1997 – 2018)
  • Video journalist for arttv.ch (2016)
  • Cameraman for tv, corporate and live music events (1999 – 2015)
  • Videos for "Snapshots" of Stefan Pucher/Theater Basel (1999) 
  • Lighting designer for theater and dance (1991 – 1998)
  • In-house sound technician for music club Atlantis (1986 – 1991)