Oliver Kümmerli

Oliver Kümmerli’s practice sits at the intersection of photography and installation. Photography has always been at the centre of his work, and the tension between the supposedly objective and the subjective is central to how he explores and rethinks the medium. He is interested in pushing its boundaries, examining where the image ends and space begins, and investigating its material and textural qualities. Approaching photography as an object through layering, fragmentation, and materialization, he explores its physical presence and spatial dimensions.

Reflections on Zahn der Zeit and Art Dock, Zürich:

How does context shape your artistic process?

For this exhibition, the artworks were developed through a dialogue with the exhibition theme, the curators, and the unique qualities of the space, while building on earlier research and material experimentation.
In response to the theme Zahn der Zeit, I explored the relationship between materiality, memory, and infrastructure using archival photographs of tunnel construction in Switzerland. Through image layering, cyanotype, and UV printing, I transformed these historical images into sculptural objects that reflect on how landscapes and infrastructure shape collective memory and national identity.

How did Art Under Dock shape your Artwork?

Art Dock’s cellar vaulted architecture and dim light evoke the atmosphere of a tunnel, reinforcing the work's connection to the Gotthard. Integrated lighting activates both the artworks and the surrounding architecture, allowing the space itself to become part of the installation.
Unlike a white-cube gallery, Art Dock’s history and its imminent disappearance add another layer to the work, echoing its themes of infrastructure, memory, and transformation.