Under the motto “Art washes the dust of everyday life from the soul” (Pablo Picasso), the new “KUNSCHT” museum in Walchwil was officially opened on Friday, September 20. The new exhibition space for visual arts and culture was set up in the old Spritzenhaus on Dorfstrasse, opposite the Raiffeisenbank, and represents a creative interim use of the historic building.

The opening ceremony began with a vernissage by Walchwil artist Julia Hürlimann, who was present in person to present her latest works. Manuel Studer, municipal councillor and Head of Education/Culture, gave the welcoming speech and emphasized the importance of the project for the cultural diversity of the municipality. At the end of the event, visitors were invited to an aperitif where they had the opportunity to chat and view the works of art in a relaxed atmosphere.

The design concept of the museum, which was developed by the Walchwil-based company Doppelpunkt Schweiz GmbH, follows the principle of “less is more”. Great importance was attached to preserving the original substance of the old fire engine house. Unnecessary elements were removed in order to emphasize the natural beauty of the room, while the floors, windows, walls and beams were left in their simple and unaltered state and merely cleaned and refreshed. Modern touches such as the new lighting ensure that the space meets the requirements of a contemporary museum. The entrance area was made particularly inviting by integrating a sliding glass door - in addition to the large, permanently open wooden double doors. This creates a generous display window that provides interesting insights into the exhibition even from the outside

An open day will be held on Saturday, September 21, giving the public the opportunity to explore the new museum and its exhibitions.

The “KUNSCHT” will not only be a place of art and culture, but will also serve as a meeting place for the community. With the opening of this museum, the municipality of Walchwil is setting an example for cultural exchange and the promotion of the local art scene.

The exhibition “Die Sprache” will run until the end of the year. The Kulturhaus Spritzenhaus will be open on Friday, October 25, November 15 and Wednesday, December 6 and 20, from 5.00 to 8.00 pm.

Thomas Juen