Since then, 17 international artists were invited to projects of the artist-run-residence in Zurich: at the message salon embassy Zürich Nord (2017/18), which was a Kunst am Bau (‘art on building’) assignment by the cooperative mehr als wohnen (‘more than residing’), at the 25hours Hotel Langstrasse (2017) and in collaboration with the art space Die Diele (‘The Hallway’) (2019/2020).
Madame l’Ambassadeur takes the residents on an expedition to the Zurich cultural scene and arranges personal meetings with local personalities. Encounters, artist friendships, networks happen – the basic idea is to link the independent cultural scene outside of institutions and to initiate and cultivate artist friendships. Each invited resident publishes a fanzine for message salon embassy, which is presented at the end of the event. Madame l’Ambassadeur also undertakes research tours to distant cities, explores the pulse of the city and its art scene during her stay and on walks, and makes new friends in the process.
In 2020 message salon embassy is celebrating its five-year anniversary: a varied programme with former and current artists in residence was put together and as a highlight in August, Madame l’Ambassadeur planned to bring all former message salon embassy residents and personalities from Zurich’s cultural life to one table, a conspiratorial, clandestine artists’ conference. But Covid-19 upset all plans, the anniversary festival had to be cancelled.
Now Madame l’Ambassadeur is showing the installation “The Non Conference Papers” as a shrunken version of the project in the shop window gallery “Die Diele”. All previous message salon embassy residents sent a poster from the lockdown as their contribution to the “non held conference”. A poster wall brings together 17 international artists who are connected through Madame l’Ambassadeur and their stay at the message salon embassy in Zurich.
The exhibition in the shop window of the art space “Die Diele” is accessible around the clock. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, there will be no vernissage or public events. However, Madame l’Ambassadeur will receive visitors for a private audience in the message salon embassy office in front of the shop window. Esther Eppstein will talk about the idea of message salon embassy, show publications and souvenirs, including new zines by Madame l’Ambassadeur, created after last year’s tour of Europe to the cities of residence of the former message salon embassy Zürich Nord Residents and a longer stay in London. To round off the event, we will have a drink in a bar in Langstrassenquartier.
To apply for a private audience with Madame l’Ambassadeur, please contact us personally at email hidden; JavaScript is required.