Josephsohn / Märkli Book Lab

The Hauser & Wirth Book & Printed Matter Lab is a project devoted to exploring the important place that books and prints occupy in the practice of artists. Building upon Hauser & Wirth's curatorial and publishing activities, the Lab presents thematic installations, displays, and programming that invite reflection, creative thinking, and further conversation about the world of printed matter and its connection to artists' ideas and objectives. Peter Märkli designed and built ‘La Congiunta’ to house Josephsohn’s sculptures in Giornico in 1992. The building is not described as a museum, but a ‘house for reliefs and half-figures’. ‘Josephsohn / Märkli. A Conjunction’ reminds us that the friendship and creative dialogue between the artist and architect was verbal and visual, and drew attention to issues shared by art and architecture: proportion, volume and grammar. This special Book & Printed Matter Lab provides the space to explore ‘La Congiunta', to see Peter Märkli’s sketches, printed material related to the project, to watch both the artist and architect talk about their work, and, finally, a space for the development of dialogues, activities and events relating to the unique relationships between artists and architects.