ABOUT

Andreas Heusser is a Swiss conceptual artist and cultural entrepreneur known for his unconventional and boundary-pushing approach to art. His work often bridges art with societal and political themes, creating thought-provoking experiences that challenge traditional notions of artistic expression. His long-term projects unfold over extended periods, spanning various media and disciplines, while actively involving audiences in the creative process.
Andreas Heusser is based in Zurich and Johannesburg. His works have been exhibited internationally – most notably at the 2016 Venice Biennale.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • Museum Strauhof, Zürich, 01/2025

  • Kunsthalle Bratislava, Slovak Union, 10/2019

  • Valie Export Center, Linz, 10/2019

  • Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lissabon, Portugal, 11/2018

  • Espacio Naranjo, Madrid, Spain, 11/2018

  • Espacio Oculto, Madrid, Spain, 11/2018

  • La Station – Gare des Mines, Paris, France, 11/2018

  • Mutuo Centro de Arte, Barcelona, Spain, 10/2018

  • Galería Antítesis, Panama City, 01/2018

  • Galería Despacio, San José, Costa Rica, 12/2017

  • Galería Códice, Managua, Nicaragua, 12/2017

  • Museo para la Identidad Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 12/2017

  • Museo de Arte de El Salvador (MARTE), San Salvador, El Salvador, 12/2017

  • Galería El Sótano, Guatemala City, Guatemala, 11/2017

  • Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO), Oaxaca, Mexico, 11/2017

  • Galería Ladrón, Mexico City, Mexico, 11/2017

  • Museum of Emptiness (Moe), St. Gallen, Switzerland, 09/2017

  • Monte Vista Projects, Los Angeles, USA, 10/2016

  • Cult | Aimee Friberg Exhibitions, San Francisco, USA, 10/2016

  • CCA Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, USA, 10/2016

  • Ice Cube Gallery, Denver, USA, 09/2016

  • Fort Gondo, St. Louis, USA, 09/2016

  • Defibrillator Gallery, Chicago, USA, 09/2016

  • Spread Arts Gallery, Detroit, USA, 09/2016

  • Fresh Window Gallery, New York, USA, 08/2016

  • Scrap Metal Gallery, Toronto, Canada, 09/2016

  • Enriched Bread Artists, Ottawa, Canada, 08/2016

  • Die Diele, Zürich, Switzerland, 08/2016-9/2016

  • 56. Biennale di Venezia, Salon Suisse, Venice, Italy, 10/2015

  • Lauba Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia, 10/2015

  • Chimera-Project Gallery, Budapest, Hungary, 10/2015

  • Umelka Gallery, Bratislava, Slovakia, 09/2015

  • #Poligon Art Space, Warschau, Poland, 09/2015

  • Luda Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia, 09/2015

  • Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland, 08/2015

  • Tenthaus, Project Space, Oslo, Norway, 08/2015

  • Sixtyeight, Project Space, Copenhagen, Denmark, 08/2015

  • Grimmuseum, Berlin, Germany, 08/2015

  • Island, Project Space, Hamburg, Germany, 08/2015

  • Wolfart Project Space, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 08/2015

  • Museum Strauhof, Zürich, Switzerland, 07/2015

  • The Institute, Zürich, Switzerland, 05/2015

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

  • "City of Zurich Art Awards", Helmhaus Zürich, Switzerland, 07/2019

  • "Ours Is Not The Only Planet Earth Has Been", Ballroom Projects, Chicago, USA, 10/2016

  • Czech Republic – d.i.v.o. Institute, Kolin, Czech Republic, 09/2015

  • Survival K(n)it Festival 7, Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, Riga, Latvia, 09/2015

  • Kling-Festival, Mansbach, Germany, 08/2015

  • "Vitrine 05", Die Diele, Zürich, Switzerland, 12/2015

  • Kabinett der Visionäre, Chur, Switzerland, 06/2015

  • Doing Nothing Festival, Dock 18, Rote Fabrik, Zürich, Switzerland, 5/2015

  • "Vitrine 04", Die Diele, Zürich, Switzerland, 12/2014

  • "Vitrine 03", Die Diele, Zürich, Switzerland, 12/2013

  • "Show Me Show Me Show Me", CentrePasqArt, Biel, Switzerland, 6/2013

  • Swiss Art Awards, Art Basel, Switzerland, 6/2011

  • Werkpreis Kanton Zürich, F+F Schule, Zürich, Switzerland, 10/2011

EDUCATION

2011-2013

  • Master of Arts BFH in Contemporary Arts Practice (CAP), Fine Arts, Bern University of Arts

2010-2011

  • CAP Master Programme in Literary Writing, Literary Institute Biel / HKB

2010

  • Degree HLM Philosophy and German, University of Zurich

1998-2003

  • Master of Arts UZH in Philosophy and German Literature, University of Zurich

1996-1998

  • Studies of Psychology, Intermediate diploma, University of Zurich

AWARDS


2022

  • Work grant by the City of Zurich


2021

  • Ideation grant by Migros Kulturprozent

  • Work grant by the City of Zurich


2019

  • City of Zurich Art Award

2012

  • Award for Communication of Arts, Popkredit, City of Zurich


2011

  • Swiss Art Award, Nomination

  • Werkpreis Kanton Zürich, Nomination


2002

  • Solothurner Literaturtage, Fiction Contest,
    1st Prize Win

  • Vontobel Foundation, Grant

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

► Zurich Literature Festival

Since 2013, Andreas Heusser has been the Founder and Director of the annual Zurich Literature Festival, organized in cooperation with Literaturhaus Zürich and Kaufleuten. The week-long festival showcases world premieres and readings by internationally acclaimed authors, with its main stage set amidst the lush surroundings of the magnificent Old Botanical Garden.


► No Show Museum

The world's first museum dedicated to nothing. Its collection includes around 500 works and documents from over 150 international artists. The museum has committed itself to the mission to spread nothing all over the globe. Since 2015, Andreas Heusser is its founder and director.


► The Institute

A Project Space for performative and transdisciplinary arts in Zurich. Various artists collectives contribute with weekly events and performances to its public program which also includes transdisciplinary research and workshops. Founded and jointly managed since 2013 by Pablo Assandri and Andreas Heusser.

► FREIRAUM-STIPENDIUM
An International Artist-in-Residence Rrogramme in Zurich. The Residency lasts over the course of 8 weeks and is open to all artists of various disciplines and experience. Founded by Andreas Heusser in 2010, the Artist Residency is now collaboratively managed by him and Adriana Dominguez, Esther Kempf, Michael Kuratli and Maria Sabato.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • ► Literaturhaus Zürich, Federal Transformation Project, Editorial Direction & Project Management, 2021-2022

  • ► Kaufleuten. Concert Venue / Cultural Institution / Nightlife Location. Programme Director, 01.2011-12.2013

  • ► Jozia. South African Musician. Management, 2016-2018.

  • Oh, how beautiful is Panama. An exhibition within an exhibition.
    ► Ethnological Museum in Zurich. Co-Curation, 2016

  • Züri Littéraire. Literature talk, monthly. Artistic Director, 2012-2013.

  • Summer Sounds. Indie Music Festival, annual. Director, 2011-2014.

  • Kind of Jazz. Swiss Jazz Concert Series, weekly. Director, 2011-2012.

  • Makro. Concerts Series in Zurich, Co-Director, 2008.

  • Mikro. Series with performances & concerts, monthly. Director, 2006-2011.

  • Kino im Atelier. Cinema in Artist Studio, weekly. Co-Director, 2005-2010.

  • Festival der Künste. Interdisciplinary Festival, 2 days. Co-Director, 2002.

  • Index, Authors Collective. Co-Founder, 2001.