Sculpture at Schoenthal
The Schönthal Abbey, first mentioned around 1140, was abolished by the Reformation in 1529 and made available for secular purposes (tool shed, Sennhof, brickyard). In 1967 the canton of Basel-Landschaft placed the monastery church under a preservation order . Twenty years later, archaeological studies and first renovations began. In 2000, “Sculpture at Schoenthal” was founded . The monastery and its surroundings were defined as a place for cultural encounters and in 2001 John Schmid transferred it to a foundation. The former monastery church now serves as a space for alternating art exhibitions. In the monastery area and the surrounding area you can find sculptures by well-known artists in many places.
The Foundation
The sculpture at schoenthal foundation introduces itself with the catchphrase "Art and Nature in Dialog". In fact, in Schönthal near Langenbruck ( Switzerland ), visitors can experience art and nature in their interaction (dialogue). In the center is the former Schönthal monastery, embedded in untouched nature. The monastery church was built around 1140 and stylishly renovated from 1900 to 2000. The historical buildings and facilities today form a cultural meeting place, as a gallery with changing exhibitions and as a hostel for seminars.
Landscape and nature
The landscape around the former monastery is typical of the Swiss Jura and is a delightful sight in every season. The visitor is invited to linger and discover the untouched nature. Hiking trails lead from the monastery in all directions, over hills, through forests and across lush meadows.
Sculptures and artists
A number of well-known artists have discovered this landscape for themselves and have subtly integrated sculptures into nature. Works by Tony Cragg , Nigel Hall , Richard Long , David Nash , Nicola Hicks , Ulrich Rückriem , Erwin Wortelkamp and many others can be seen.
It is astonishing how much nature and art complement each other and how the sculptures appear in ever new pictures due to changing conditions (season, weather, light). The picture of the ibex carved into wood shows how the weather has turned the sculpture gray. It hardly stands out against the trees in the background. The work Recovered Memory by the artist Nicola Hicks shows Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother with a wolf's head in a small forest clearing. Due to the color, shape and positioning in the great outdoors, the result is a very lively image that is reminiscent of a theater scene. The eight-meter-high sculpture Soglio by Nigel Hall stands on a hill with a beautiful view .
These are just three examples from a sculpture park with works by national (Switzerland) and international artists who use the nature of the idyllic landscape as a background.
Web links
Coordinates: 47 ° 21 '8.6 " N , 7 ° 46' 14.7" E ; CH1903: 625095 / 244669