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U5 is an artist collective based in Switzerland.

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U5's artistic practice is diverse. Media and materials are chosen and pursued in depth according to interest and urgency. Single works like objects or images are combined into expansive installations for exhibitions and can appear in them both analog and digital. They thus take on different states, formats, and attributes, and are further influenced by light, scent, temperature, and sound in the immersive installations. U5 sees itself as an organic practice that celebrates ongoingness. U5 invents its own working techniques in which the principles of reuse, un-use, repair and collage combines materials and objects to create new works. The accumulation, (as the cultural technic, that was always overshadowed by tools and weapons to serve as an explanatory pattern for our coexistence) of digital and analogue materials is an important component of the artistic approach, both a ballast and a trove at the same time.  

 

U5 first formed at Zürich University of the Arts in 2007 before graduating as a group in 2011. The working method depends on unanimous founding principles:

 

• All members have equal rights, but consensus is not necessary.

• All works are created in cooperation.

• Presence and absence influence the work equally.

 

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U5 addresses properties of collective modes of action and perception in artistic production, in exhibitions as well as within scientific projects and in teaching. U5 actively pursues historical and contemporary approaches to research in art, especially approaches that transcend disciplines and focus on silenced or denied forms of art and knowledge. 

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U5 works at two locations. The studio in St. Gallen is located at Sägegässlein 20 and can be visited every Thursday or by appointment. The Zurich Studio XOX is located in the attic at Flüelastrasse 6.

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The collective’s studio XOX is an event space, a permanently transforming, semi-public place. During four years the Automatenbar took place every Tuesday: a live format for music, performance, screenings and discussions: more about XOX

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U5 TRUST monograph
U5 monograph

TRUST, artist book / monograph

a publication by Helene Romakin & U5

contributions by Nina Zschocke, Christian Egger, Helene Romakin

graphic design by Karin Holzfeind

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CV

  • since 2021 Artistic research, SNF project Conflict and Cooperation. Episteme and methods between art history, art and ethnology in the performative pictorial practices of Vodun, University of Zurich, Art History Department, Prof. Dr. Bärbel Küster
     

  • 2015-2018 Artistic Research, 17 Volcanoes, project with Prof. Dr. Ursprung and Prof. Dr. Alexander Lehnerer, Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore ETH Center, Singapore
     

  • 2009-2011 Master of Arts in Fine Arts, Zurich University of the Arts
     

  • 2006-2009 Bachelor of Arts (Media Arts), Zurich University of the Arts
     

  • 2007 foundation of U5

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Grants, Awards, Residencies

2024

  • Artist Grant, Kanton St. Gallen

  • Artist Grant, Stadt St. Gallen

  • Winner of the art in public space competition ("Barefoot Spa", Kunst im Viererfeld/ Mittelfeld, KiöR) together with Alias Architects

2021​

  • Artist Grant, Stadt Zürich
    (incl. audience award '    Lieblinge der Herzen')

2020

  • Artist Grant, Kanton Zürich

  • Publication grant: Stadt Zürich, Kanton Zürich, Pro Helvetia, ETH

2019​

  • Digital Arts Residency San Francisco, Stadt Zürich

2018​

  • Digitale Kultur, Werkbeiträge Migros-Kulturprozent

2017​

  • Residency at NUS Museum Singapore

2015-18​

  • Residency at Future Cities Laboratory Singapore

2013​

  • Kiefer Hablitzel Award

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2023​​

  • Museum Utopie und Alltag, «Der Reiniger, die Katze und der Mond», Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany

  • Brandenburgischer Kunstverein Potsdam, «I love Clark», Potsdam, Germany

2019

  • Kunstraum Aarau, «360° Daily Routines», Aarau, Switzerland

2018

  • Galerie DuflonRacz, «Are you with me?», Bern, Switzerland

2017

  • Kunstverein Bochum, Haus Kemnade, «Waves», Germany

  • NUS Museum, «The Fiery One - Merapi», Singapore

  • NUS Museum, «The White Crater - Kawah Putih», Singapore

  • NUS Museum, «The Drum Mountain - Galunggung», Singapore

2016

  • Urgent Paradise, «Domestic Haze», Lausanne, Switzerland

  • blossom, «BLEACH», Zürich, Switzerland

  • Plateau, «Domestic Haze», Singapore

2015

  • Plateau, «32° of inverted routines», Singapore

  • Kunst 15 Zürich, Advancement Booth, Zürich, Switzerland

  • Duflon + Racz Gallery, «TRACER», Bern, Switzerland

2014

  • Kunstmuseum Thun, «Parasite», Thun, Switzerland

  • Kunsthalle Arbon, «YOUNGLAND EVERFAST», Arbon, Switzerland

  • Kunst 14 Zürich, Advancement Booth, Zürich, Switzerland

2013

  • Raum No 10, "DESERT FOR REAL - DANGER IN EVERY DROP", Bern, Switzerland

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Talks & Screenings

2023

  • Talk, International Symposium, «Methods and Media of the Absent/Present. Approaches to Vodun/Vodou», Prof. Dr. Bärbel Küster, Universität Zürich

  • Talk/Workshop, «Autoethnografic Surveillance», with Sebastian Hoggenmüller, Kultursoziologie, MAS Arts Management, ZHAW Winterthur

​2022

  • Talk, «About The Human Crater», International Symposium on Film, Architecture, and Urban Studies, ETH Zürich 

  • Talk, «Artistic Freedom and Responsibility Today», with Dora Imhof, VAD Conference, Africa-Europa: Reciprocal Perspectives, Albert Ludwig Universität Freiburg im Breisgau 

  • Performance, «Blackout», Mobiliar Kunstsammlung, Museumsnacht, Bern 

  • Screening «Many White Horses», Filmallmende, Windtunnel, ZHdK, Zürich

​2021

  • Talk, Art History and New Media, «What’s up?», with Nina Zschocke, HeK, Basel

  • Symposium Knock Tap Rap! and AAA Werkstattgespräch,
    Struck Modernism 3, Impro-Session with Violeta Burckhardt, Ludwig Berger, Florian Dombois, Khensani de Klerk

2020

  • Screening, Commissioned video work for Engadin Art Talks: Interviews with Fritz Hauser, Raphael Hefti, Bice Curiger, Ziba Ardalan, Christina Bechtler, Kenny Schlachter, Stefan Zweifel, Daniel Baumann & Leo Tuor, etc. in Auftrag gegeben von E.A.T.

  • Screening «Double Bind»: Videoex Festival, Zürich

2019

  • Screening «The Human Crater»: The Laundry, San Francisco

  • Transmediale, Berlin, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Artist Talk: «HI meets AI: «Der UngenauBot» von Bircher/Hurkxkens und «PALM» vom U5 Kollektiv»

2018

  • F+F guest_*talks, Artist Talk & Performance: «Bleach»

  • Screening «Halfway Demolition», Architecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu, La Biennale di Venezia, Central Pavilion, Unless Ever People - Caritas for Freespace

  • Screening, «The Human Crater»:
    -Engadin Art Talks, Zuoz
    -Kino Rex, Bern
    -Helmhaus, Zürich

2017

  • Screening, «The Human Crater»:
    -Kortum Gesellschaft, Bochum
    -Filmpodium, Zürich

  • Screening «tracer», videokunst.ch, Bern

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022

  • Espace Arlaud, «Corona Call», Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Oncurating Project Space, «Compost», Zürich, Switzerland

2021

  • Helmhaus, Werk- und Atelierstipendien, Zürich, Switzerland

  • Kunstraum Kreuzlingen, «Corona Call», Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

  • o.T. Raum für aktuelle Kunst, «spaces in motion», Luzern, Switzerland

  • Kunst Halle St. Gallen, «Heimspiel», St. Gallen, Switzerland

2020

  • Werkschau, Haus Konstruktiv, Zürich

2019

  • Sharjah Architecture Triennial, «Rights of Future Generations», Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  • Bone Festival 2019, Schlachthaus Theater, Bern, Switzerland

2018

  • Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, «Heimspiel», St. Gallen, Switzerland

  • Kunstmuseum Bern, «RÉPUBLIQUE GÉNIALE», Bern, Switzerland

  • Swiss Art Awards, Basel, Switzerland

2017

  • NUS Museum, «17 Volcanoes», Singapore

  • Princeton School of Architecture Gallery, «17 Volcanoes», New Jersey, USA

2016

  • Helmhaus, «Hinter jedem Berg steht noch ein Berg - Eine Begegnung von Gegenwartskunst aus China und der Schweiz», Zurich, Switzerland

  • gta exhibitions - ETH Zurich, «17 Volcanoes - Figures in the Landscape of Java», Zurich, Switzerland

2015

  • Reale Osservatorio Vesuviano, «The Walk», Naples, Italy

  • Centre d'Art Contemporain / Project Space, «protein fix», Geneva, Switzerland

2014

  • BolteLang Gallery, «Tell Me What I See, When I Look Into Your Eyes», Zürich, Switzerland

  • La Rada, «The Chase», Locarno, Switzerland

2013

  • Le Commun - Centre d'Art Contemporain, MOINS 30 IX, JEUNE ART SUISSE 2013, Geneva, Switzerland

  • Swiss Art Awards 2013, Kiefer Hablitzel Award, Messezentrum Basel, Switzerland

  • Helmhaus, Werk- und Atelierstipendien, Zürich, Switzerland

2012

  • Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, "Heimspiel 2012", St. Gallen, Switzerland

  • Kunsthaus Glarus, "Fokus: Claudio Zopfi featuring U5 Kollektiv + Suleika de Vries", Glarus, Switzerland

  • Werkbeiträge Bildende Kunst Kanton Zürich,"Werkschau 2012", Zürich, Switzerland

2011

  • Sammlung Prinzhorn, Jubiläumsausstellung, "Von Kirchner bis heute", Heidelberg, Germany

  • Helmhaus, Werk- und Atelierstipendien, Zürich, Switzerland

  • Rote Fabrik/Shedhalle, Master Fine Arts Degree Show, Zürich, Switzerland

2010

  • Kunsthaus Zürich, Kunsthausnacht, "Kitsch + Kunst", Zürich, Switzerland

  • Art Dubai, Bidoun Projects, "A New Formalism", Dubai, UAE

  • Venice Architecture Biennale, German Pavilion: "Sehnsucht", sound installation (commissioned), Venice, Italy

2009

  • Shift Electronic Art Festival, "Magic", Basel, Switzerland

  • Bachelordiplomausstellung, Zürich, Switzerland

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Publications

  • HeK (Hg.), Art History and New Media: What's Up?, Zschocke, Nina with a visual contribution by U5, De Gruyter, Berlin

  • Trans Magazin, Fire, Issue #41, Department Architektur, ETH Zürich 

  • Bathla, Nitin, Berger, Ludwig, Papanicolao, Klearjos, Sintra, Claudia (Hg.) Blue Skies - For Profit Homes, Issue one [Fancine]

  • Romakin, Helene & U5 (Hg.) TRUST, mit Beiträgen von Nina Zschocke, Christian Egger, Helene Romakin, Graphik Karin Holzfeind, Verlag für Moderne Kunst, Wien [Monographie]

  • Patrycja Wojciechowska, 2020: U5, in OnCurating,Issue 48, Zurich Issue: Dark Matter, Grey Zones, Red Light and Bling Bling, Ronald Kolb and Dorothee Richter (Eds.) URL: https://www.on-curating.org/issue-48-reader/u5.html#.X2oDXC35zOQ

  • Tini Aliman, Florian Dombois, Fabian Gutscher, Kaspar König, Luke Martin, Vivian Wang, 2020: Sound Kite Orchestra, Los Angeles: Dinzu Artifacts [music cassette and download, cover design].

  • Lara, Adriana, 2019: Pazmaker 14. [fanzine].

  • Perrez, Sidd, Adrianne Joergensen, 2018: 17 Volcanoes, Singapore: NUS Museum, National University of Singapore.

  • Schindhelm, Michael, Damian Christinger (ed.), 2018: Happy Tropics No.1. Zürich: ZhdK, Connecting Spaces #10.

  • Hirsch, Helen (Hrsg.), Barbara Berger, 2014: U5 Parasite. Nürnberg: Verlag für Moderne Kunst Nürnberg.

  • Kaeser, Oliver, Jean-Paul Felley, (ed.) 2013: U5. In: «Unter 30 IX. Junge Schweizer Kunst. Kiefer Hablitzel Preis 2013», Nürnberg: Verlag für Moderne Kunst Nürnberg.

  • Luchsinger, Katrin, 2012: U5 Kollektiv: Quadrabble. In: «ungesehen und unerhört, Künstler reagieren auf die Sammlung Prinzhorn», Ingrid von Beyme, Thomas Röske (ed.), Heidelberg: Sammlung Prinzhorn Wunderhorn.

  • Bech, Laetitia Lanvin, Samson Guyomard, 2014: Infinite Circles. [fanzine].

  • Kahn, Hassan, 2010: A new Formalism. In: «Art Dubai 17-20 March 2010», Dubai: Art Dubai

  • Self-organized Bachelordiplomausstellung, 2010: Güterbahnhof Zürich, Self-published

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