ART by Etienne Krähenbühl

Born in 1953 in Vevey, Switzerland. After two years at Art School in Lausanne, Etienne Krähenbühl moved to Barcelona and then Paris. Upon his return to Switzerland, first in Romainmôtier, and then at his workshop in Yverdon, he took up sculpture and focused on the traces of time in material.

The turning point in his work coincided with meeting Dr. Rolf Gotthardt, a specialist in specific alloys at the EPFL in Lausanne– « the memory of shapes » - and in super-elastic metals. A collaboration ensued which brought the artist, between science and poetry, sensitivity and monumentality, gravity and weightlessness, to « push the limits of materials to bring out the movements and sounds from the depths of the earth. » (Françoise Jaunin).

The artist plays on the physical properties of these materials. He creates pieces in which sound, movement, and the contrast between monumentality and fragility take on a primary role. « Products of a deep understanding of the possibilities of expression of the materials, Etienne Krähenbühl’s sculptures offer us a new and fascinating reflection on ourselves and our surroundings. » (Joan-Francesc Ainaud).

Since the mid-1970s, Etienne Krähenbühl has exhibited his work in solo and group shows, in Switzerland, Spain, France, Lebanon, United States, Belgium, German, Italia, Portugal, Libanon, Turqey, India, China, Japan, et and lately Kazakhstan. Amongst the many distinctions received, Krähenbühl was awarded the Edouard Maurice Sandoz Foundation Award in 2009. He lives and works in Sarraz and Yverdon, Switzerland.

www.ekl.ch