Bruno Weber - Life and Work
Bruno Weber, born on April 11, 1931, in Dietikon and deceased on October 25, 2011, in Spreitenbach, was a painter, graphic artist, sculptor, inventor, carpenter, mason, painter, plasterer, and architect. Over half a century, the artist Bruno Weber created an absolute artwork (Gesamtkunstwerk) that is unique in Switzerland. His life's work, the Bruno Weber Park, is an artwork of international significance and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.
Weber created a fantastical world of sculptures, buildings, and gardens that are organically integrated with nature. His work is characterized by a unique blend of archaic forms, mythical figures, and a magical atmosphere that captivates visitors of all ages.
His immense creative power is evident in numerous mythical creatures, interactive walk-in sculptures throughout the park grounds, and the Artist's House (Künstlerhaus) with its unique tower.
Bruno Weber was the architect of his dreams
Creation of the Gesamtkunstwerk
As a child and teenager, Bruno Weber dedicated himself to painting. Encouraged by the Swiss painter Max Gubler, he initially completed an apprenticeship as a graphic artist and lithographer at his family's request, and was then able to attend the School of Applied Arts (Kunstgewerbeschule) in Zurich. There, his teachers—including Johannes Itten (the Bauhaus artist responsible for color theory and director of the school at the time) and sculptor Ernst Gubler (brother of painter Max Gubler) and other teachers—were highly influential figures for Bruno as a student.
In 1962, through the construction of his studio, he began a self-taught exploration of architecture and concrete, discovering an unexpected passion for designing his workspace—which later became his home and living environment—located at the edge of the forest.
This interactive art space, experienced as an interplay of sculptural architecture and nature, is considered the largest sculpture park creation by a single artist in Switzerland.
Biography & Park Chronology
Born on April 11, 1931, in Dietikon.
Attended the School of Applied Arts (Kunstgewerbeschule) in Zurich.
Trained as a lithographer and graphic artist at Orell Füssli in Zurich.
Bruno Weber's family acquires the land on which the sculpture park stands today.
Study trip to Genoa.
Construction of the studio (completed in 1963).
Marriage to Maria Anna Weber, who became his primary collaborator starting in 1967.
First extensions of the residential house with column sculptures.
First expansions in the Bruno Weber Park.
Birth of twin daughters Mireille and Rebecca.
Founding of the association, then called "Gesellschaft Weinrebenpark" (today: "Förderverein Bruno Weber Park").
The Aargau authorities grant a general building permit for the entire estate.
Founding of the Bruno Weber Foundation, then called "Stiftung Weinrebenpark-Bruno Weber".
The Spreitenbach town assembly votes to rezone the area for artistic use.
The Canton of Aargau approves the rezoning to "Weinrebenparkzone" (Weinreben Park Zone).
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Water Garden, with speeches by Christine Egerszegi (President of the National Council) and Roland Brogli (Cantonal Councillor).
Creation of the Bruno Weber Sculpture Trail (Skulpturenweg) on the initiative of the association, featuring eleven sculptures (including sculpture groups) from Dietikon station to the studio.
October 24: Bruno Weber passes away at the age of 80.
Exhibitions
Hotel Krone - "Scheune" (barn, now heritage-protected), Dietikon, with Ernst Kissling, Paul Raclé, and Bruno Weber.
Galerie Holzapfel (Dr. Toggenburg, owner), with Thomas Dubs, Zurich.
"Drachen" (Dragons), group exhibition, Museum Bellerive, Zurich.
Swiss Sculpture Exhibition, Biel.
"Bildnis der Menschen unserer Zeit" (Portraits of People of Our Time), Bad Säckingen (Germany) and Nuremberg.
Künstlerhaus, Olten, group exhibition.
"Übersicht" (Overview), Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau.
Courbet Museum, photographs by Vincent Knapp, Ornans (France).
Vancouver, National Photography Exposition, Marcel Schubert, photographs of Weinrebenpark.
Amtshausgalerie, Baden.
"Kopfhäuser, Skizzen, Objekte" (Head-Houses, Sketches, Objects), solo exhibition, Galerie Hilt, Basel.
Kunsthaus Zürich, Harald Szeemann, "Visionary Switzerland".
Expo 92, Swiss Pavilion, Seville.
Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Harald Szeemann, "Visionary Switzerland".
Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Harald Szeemann, "Visionary Switzerland".
Until 2005: Permanent exhibition of the Weinrebenpark model by Bruno Weber at the foot of Monte Verità, installed by Harald Szeemann, Ascona (Ticino).
Venice, "Fantastic Art", Zitadelle Culture Center.
Galerie Latal, Zurich, solo exhibition.
Seedamm Center, Pfäffikon (Schwyz), solo exhibition.
"Na-Tour 97", Sculpture Trail, Hitzkirch (Lucerne).
Villa Rolandseck Culture Center, "Phantasten" (Fantasists), Rolandseck (Germany).
"Ariadne's Thread", Herrenhof, Mussbach (Germany).
"Down Town", Stadelhofen Station, Zurich.
Sigristenkeller Culture Center, Bülach, with Martin Schwarz, Bruno and Maria Anna Weber.
Museum of the Canton of Glarus, Tolder + Art, Näfels, Bruno and Maria Anna Weber.
Galerie Schoeneck "Outdoor", Riehen/Basel, solo exhibition.
Freulerpalast, Näfels, Tolder + Art, solo exhibition.
Art Atelier Aquatinta, Lenzburg, Bruno Weber and Maria Anna Weber.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Michael Ende Park, "Einhorn" (Unicorn), permanent exhibition.
"Phantastische Welten" (Fantastic Worlds), Spandau Citadel, Berlin.
Painting exhibition under the patronage of the City of Dietikon, solo exhibition.
Art-Imaginär, Herrenhof, Mussbach (Germany), group exhibition.
Art-Imaginär, Herrenhof, Mussbach (Germany), 2nd group exhibition.
Singisenforum Muri, Abbey Garden, solo sculpture exhibition.
Bruno Weber Memorial Exhibition, Herrenhof, Mussbach (Germany).
"Bruno Weber and Max Gubler", Bruno Weber Foundation, Bruno Weber Park.
Publications & Books
"Kunst und Kirche", Kunstverlag, Linz (Austria), text by Prof. Dr. Justus Dahinden.
"Phantastische Architektur", Dumont Verlag, Cologne (Germany), text by Michael Schuyt, Joost Elffers.
"Architektur", Krämer Verlag, Stuttgart/Zurich, text by Prof. Justus Dahinden.
"Visionäre Schweiz", exhibition catalog, Kunsthaus Zürich, Sauerländer Verlag, Aarau, author: Harald Szeemann.
"Bruno Webers phantastische Welt", Weitbrecht Verlag, Stuttgart/Vienna/Bern, photos by Robert Elter and Maria Anna Weber, contributions by Roman Hocke and other authors.
"Fantasy Worlds", Taschen Verlag, Cologne/Vienna/Tokyo, photos by Deidi von Schaewen, foreword by John Maizels.
"Bruno Weber - Der Architekt seiner Träume", Benteli Verlag, Wabern/Bern, text by Peter K. Wehrli, photos by Robert Elter and Maria Anna Weber.
"Bruno Weber, die Kraft der Fantasie - ein Lebenswerk", Hirmer Verlag, Munich, photos by Hansruedi Bramaz, foreword by Councillor of States Christine Egerszegi-Obrist, contributions by Franz Hohler, Peter K. Wehrli, Dr. Fritz Billeter, Roman Hocke, Dr. Peter Conrad, and Helene Arnet.
Publications & Press (Magazines & Newspapers)
"Paradies am Rande" (Paradise on the Edge), Volker Schunk, Tages-Anzeiger Magazin, Zurich.
"Lexikon der zeitgenössischen Schweizer Künstler" (Lexicon of Contemporary Swiss Artists), Huber-Orell Füssli Verlag, Zurich.
"Sanfte Strukturen", Überlingen (Germany), author: Marcel Kalberer, architect, University of Stuttgart.
"ART", No. 7, text by Dr. Volker Schunk, photos by Michael von Graffenried.
"Schweizer Beobachter", No. 18, text by Ueli Zindl, photos by Peter Stäheli.
"TURICUM", No. 2, Zurich, text by Herbert Stüssi, photos by Michael von Graffenried and Robert Elter.
"Schweiz", No. 3, Rorschach, text by Isabelle Rucki, photos by Peter and Walter Studer.
"TURICUM", No. 1, Zurich, text by Dr. A. Orlando, photos by Robert Elter.
"Häuser", Hamburg (Germany), text by Gabrielle Talmein, photos by Paul Talmein.
"Passagen", No. 4, culture magazine, Pro Helvetia, text by Harald Szeemann, photos by Niklaus Spoerri.
"Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Switzerland - Reisen, Kultur und Natur" (2/Na98), text by Lukas Straumann.
ArtProfil (3/1999), "Der Weinreben Park, Gesamtkunstwerk des Schweizer Künstlers Bruno Weber".
"The Best Interiors" No 15, Angelika Taschen, Warner World Media LLC, New York, USA.
NZZ and Tages-Anzeiger article on the solo painting exhibition under the patronage of the City of Dietikon.
Tessiner Zeitung / Model of the sculpture park / Museum in Mendrisio honors Harald Szeemann.
Tages-Anzeiger Zurich, "Der sanfte Rebell", text by Helen Arnet, article in NZZ and many others on the passing of Bruno Weber.
TV Broadcasts & Documentaries
Ludy Kessler, Ticino Television; P.K. Wehrli: "Bruno Weber - Träume aus Stein" (Dreams of Stone).
Peter K. Wehrli, "Träume in Stein" (Dreams in Stone), Television DRS, Zurich.
Peter Weck, "Schweiz unerwartet" (Switzerland Unexpected), Mainz (Germany), ZDF.
Claude Delieutraz, "Bruno Webers Reich" (Bruno Weber's Realm), Television SSR, Geneva.
Marcel Boucard, "Land der Imagination" (Land of Imagination), DVD.
Toni Vescoli, "Szenenwechsel" (Change of Scene), Television DRS, Zurich.
Prof. Dr. Peter Dencker, Bruno Weber, Mainz (Germany), ZDF.
Abe Milrad: "Believe it or not", Columbia, USA.
Marriage to Maria Anna Weber, who became his primary collaborator starting in 1967.
First extensions of the residential house with column sculptures.
E. Schurich, Eppes, Mainz (Germany), SWF.
Heidi Abel, Karambuli, main feature on Weinrebenpark, live broadcast DRS, Zurich.
P. Diegmann, "Gärten Europas" (Gardens of Europe), Cologne (Germany), WDR.
Marcel Boucard, Kunstmagazin, Ö1, Vienna (Austria).
P. Diegmann, The History of Fantastic Art, SWF (Germany).
"Bruno Weber", 60 min. live interview with Verena Höhne, Cologne (Germany), 3SAT.
Gesichter der Schweiz (Faces of Switzerland), feature film for the 700th anniversary of Switzerland, with contributions by Jean Tinguely (Canton of Bern), Mario Botta (Ticino), Bruno Weber (Canton of Aargau).
Marcel Boucard, Bruno Weber - Land of Imagination, DVD.
"Ariadne's Thread", documentary film for the exhibition, SW3.
"Ariadne's Thread", contribution by cultural editor Mr. Bär, SRF (Germany/Switzerland).
Schweiz Aktuell, documentary on Bruno Weber Park, SRF.
Kulturplatz, "75 Jahre Bruno Weber", R. Unterfinger, SRF.
Aeschbacher, "Bruno Weber", SRF.
NZZ Format, SF TV.
Schweiz Aktuell, "Traumwelt" (Dreamworld), Rolf Holzapfel, SRF.
Film Shoots in the Bruno Weber Park
Bruno Weber Park: Scenes in the film "Rendez-moi ma peau", Patrik Schulmann, Paris (France).
Bruno Weber Park: Scenes in the film "Sirenen Insel" (Island of Sirens), Isa Hesse-Rabinovitch, Zurich.
Bruno Weber Park: Scenes in the film "Ein Konzert für Alice" (A Concert for Alice), Thomas Koerfer, Switzerland.
Bruno Weber Park: Music video for the rock band Gotthard.
Awards & Grants
Grant from the Federal Art Commission, Hans Hürlimann (Federal Councillor).
Culture Prize of Spreitenbach.
Grant from the Kuratorium Canton of Aargau.
Grant from the Canton of Aargau.
Grant from the Canton of Zurich.
Federal Office of Culture, Bern.
Culture Prize of Dietikon.
Commissions & Competitions
Restaurant Tantris, Munich, concrete sculptures.
Melbourne Project: 1.2 km canopy for the "Yarra Crossing" station.
Competition draft of a large hand sculpture to support the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Snake Bridge, primary and secondary schoolhouse, Klingnau.
Owl-Man, TU Library, Karlsplatz, Vienna.
Unterboden Schoolhouse, Nussbaumen, artistic design of the auditorium.
Witikon, Zurich, "Haus zum Erker", 12 bull heads, Witikon (Zurich).
Dietikon, Redesign of the Church Square: 1. Prize
"Lichterbaum mit vier Kometen" (Tree of Light with Four Comets), SBG Training Center, Zurich.
Plaza design Uto Kulm, Uetliberg, UBS, Zurich.
"Kakadus" (Cockatoos), fountain installation, Spreitenbach, Municipality of Spreitenbach.
Painting for 12 concrete mixer trucks, Holderbank-Cement, Zurich, Holcim AG.
Stadelhofen Station, Zurich, "Down town" solo exhibition, Zurich.
"Handstuhl" (Hand-Chair), Kunsthaus Rehau (Germany), permanent donation of Prof. Eugen Gomringer.
"3 Double Owls on Columns", traffic roundabout, Widen (Aargau).
2nd Prize, "BankArt Zurich".
Large sculpture, PSI Paul Scherrer Institute, Würenlingen.
Bruno Weber Trail: Eleven sculpture stations from Dietikon station to the studio of Bruno Weber.
Bruno Weber Sculpture Trail of Spreitenbach: Five sculpture stations from the Langäcker Leisure Center, Spreitenbach, to the studio of Bruno Weber.
EKZ Dietikon (Shopping Center), art in architecture: sculptures "The Four Elements".
Experience Bruno Weber's World
Visit the Bruno Weber Park and immerse yourself in the fantastic world of this extraordinary artist.
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