Roman Signer: Landscape. Retrospective at Kunsthaus Zürich

In this video we’re diving into the world of Roman Signer, an artist whose work blends unexpected moments, creative experiments, and the power of nature. His art is all about energy and change, and right now, you can check it out at a major exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zürich. The gallery space transforms into an open setup where time, movement, and everyday materials come together in some really interesting ways.

Roman Signer has been at this for over 50 years, using simple objects like buckets, bottles, and even kayaks to create art that’s both surprising and thought-provoking. He’s all about exploring time, space, and energy with a curious, experimental vibe, encouraging us to see the world in a fresh light.

Unlike many artists, Signer doesn’t stick to a studio. His pieces often take shape outdoors or in city spaces. Back in the 1970s, during a stay in Warsaw, he treated the streets like his classroom, and that free, playful style has stuck with him ever since.

At the Kunsthaus Zürich, the exhibition is laid out without walls, so you can wander through it like you’re on a walk. It features brand-new works made just for this show, plus key pieces from his career. One standout is his use of kayaks—sometimes hanging up, sometimes taken apart, or even bouncing through a landscape. Another is Fontana di Piaggio, a playful, event-driven sculpture where a Piaggio van becomes a mobile fountain, blending everyday utility with the dynamic force of water.

The show also includes films and photos that capture the live, in-the-moment feel of Signer’s art. It’s a cool mix of things that last and things that fade, showing how nature and human ideas play off each other. You can catch Roman Signer’s exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zürich until August 17, 2025.

Roman Signer: Landscape. Retrospective at Kunsthaus Zürich. Press preview, April 3, 2025.