designboom · Creativity & design

Art Exhibition Reimagines Objects in Former Zurich Washroom

A new exhibition, "Dislocated Utility_Objects out of Place," curated by Paulina Reséndiz and Natascha Madeiski, is being held in a former SBB workers' washroom in Zurich during Zurich Design Weeks 2026. The exhibition challenges conventional display by integrating works directly into the building's original architecture.

The exhibition features 25 artists, designers, and craft practitioners, exploring the intersection of design, art, and craft. The former washroom, originally built for SBB workers without private bathrooms, retains its original structure, including cabins and fixtures, which become an integral part of the exhibition's presentation.

Works such as furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass, and textiles are placed within this unique setting. By removing these objects from their typical contexts, the exhibition examines how the environment influences perceptions of utility, material, and form. The washroom itself acts as both the exhibition space and a visual/material framework, connecting contemporary objects to an architecture shaped by daily use.

The exhibition includes works by artists like Dimitri Bähler, Monika Schori, Iris Schwarz, Charles Job, Jochen Holz, Thea Kuta & GRRRR, Pierre Bögli, Andrea Roman, and Hanya Leo.

The event is supported by Vitra Design Stiftung and partners including FREITAG, Deux Frères, ViCAFE, VIVI, and L’Eau Water. The exhibition runs from September 17th to September 27th, 2026.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.