When people think of art in Zurich, the Kunsthaus with its striking architecture and impressive modernist collection often comes to mind first. But the city’s art scene stretches far beyond this iconic museum. At times, art appears in the most unexpected places:
Blüemlihalle – Augusto Giacometti
Hopefully, you won’t need to visit the police station during your trip – but you might want to, just to see the stunning frescoes by Swiss painter Augusto Giacometti. When the former orphanage was converted into an administrative building in 1922, the city held a competition inviting local artists to decorate the entrance hall. Giacometti, a distant relative of the more famous Alberto Giacometti, won with a vibrant design in warm red and ochre tones.
Affectionately known as the Blüemlihalle (‘little flower hall’) by locals, the space is now a nationally protected landmark. It can only be visited on a guided tour for up to 20 people, offered Wednesday to Friday between 2 and 5 pm. No reservations are needed – just show up at the marked Meeting Point in front of the building at the scheduled time.
Bahnhofquai 3
8001 Zürich
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 2-5pm
Tableau – various artists
Tableau is an open-air art ‘gallery’ tucked behind Stadelhofen train station and well worth a stop to get inspired between trains. Open 24/7, 365 days a year, this public exhibition space hosts two shows annually, each featuring fourteen artworks displayed across seven billboards.
Over the years, renowned artists such as Walter Pfeiffer, huber.huber, and Olaf Breuning have shown their work here. The current exhibition by Valentin Carron opened just a few days ago.
Stadelhoferstrasse 28
8001 Zürich
Opening hours: 24/7
Anne-Sophie – Alex Hanimann
The towering Anne-Sophie sculpture – a five-meter-tall, chrome-plated figure – stands prominently in front of the 25hours Hotel and was created for the Art and the City festival. Modeled after and named for a real student at the nearby Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (Zurich University of the Arts), the statue represents the spirit of her generation and the youthful energy of the Zurich West district. Its creator, Alex Hanimann, is not only a renowned artist but also a professor of visual communication at the university.
Pfingstweidstrasse 102
8005 Zürich
Opening hours: 24/7
More hidden gems in Zurich
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