message salon
message salon is Esther Eppstein’s art project, since 1996.

The salon, the bringing together of different people in the context of art, the connection of creators from all directions, the setting and the documentation of the happening, is what Esther Eppstein defines as her art.

After a break in Tel-Aviv in 2014, Esther Eppstein, aka Madame l’Ambassadeur, is expanding the exhibition space project message salon into the nomadic artist-run artist residency message salon embassy.

message salon embassy invites international artists to spend time in Zürich. Madame l’Ambassadeur Esther Eppstein takes the guests on an expedition into the Zürich art scene, initiates contacts and meetings with personalities, in off-spaces, institutions or galleries, new friendships and networks form. A “Fanzine” concludes every stay, a limited edition publication, which is presented at a public event.

Awards and honours
Esther Eppstein has been honoured several times for her artistic and mediating work.
A selection: 1999 and 2011 Art Grant City of Zurich, 2003 and 2006 Swiss Art Award BAK, 2009 Visarte Award for Art Education, 2012 Omanut-Zwillenberg-Förderpreis, 2014 Förderpreis Canton of Zurich, 2021 Swiss Grand Prix Art/Meret Oppenheim, 2023 Recognition Award UBS Cultural Foundation.

Publication
1998 “message salon Ankerstrasse”, book and VHS tape in cardboard slipcase. Andreas Züst Verlag, co Scalo Verlag, Zurich. With texts by Peter Weber, Simon Maurer, Piplotti Rist and more. Photography Manuela Ledermann. Video Esther Eppstein, sounds Stini Arn. Graphics Alexis Saile

2016 “Esther Eppstein message salon”, Scheidegger and Spiess, Zurich. Texts by Nadine Olonetzky and Kerim Seiler. Design Benjamin Sommerhalder, cover design Alexis Saile

Acquisitions
Works by Esther Eppstein/message salon are in the collections of Kunsthaus Zürich and Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich.