6 September 2026
– 31 January 2027
HAHA. Humour as
an artistic strategy
The Dogo Residenz at the Seitenwagen at Kunst(Zeug)Haus Rapperswil-Jona
with: Alice Köppel, Dana Ferrari, Lily Pellaud, Lino Stirnimann and Thom Driver
Humour connects, exposes and questions. It can highlight injustices, reverse power relations and playfully questions social norms. Humour is a method of subversive confrontation with existing structures and at the same time creates moments of collective hilarity and relief – especially in challenging times.
For 2026, the Dogo Residency invited eleven artists to explore contemporary artistic questions under the thematic focus ‘HAHA — Humour as an Artistic Strategy’. The works created during the residency will be presented to the public on two occasions as part of the ‘Seitenwagen’ event series, in collaboration with the Kunst(Zeug)Haus Rapperswil-Jona. On 6 September, we will be opening the first of the two group exhibitions.
Sun, 6 September 26, 11.30 am:
Exhibition opening
Sun 18 Oct 26, 1.00–2.00 pm:
Screenings in the exhibition with Alice Köppel
Sat 12 Dec 26, 4.00–5.00 pm:
Walk & Talk with the artists and screening with Alice Köppel
supported by: Temperatio Stiftung, E. Fritz und Yvonne Hoffmann Stiftung, Barbara Spengler Stiftung, Gemeinde Lichtensteig, Kultur Toggenburg, Lotteriefonds Kanton St. Gallen, Hochschule Luzern Design Film Kunst, Kanton Zürich Kulturförderung | Swisslos, Pro Helvetia, Pro Helvetia South America, Rheintaler Kulturstiftung,Stadt Luzern, Albert Koechlin Stiftung
Art Walk in Lichtensteig
accessible at any time
with: Marlies Pekarek, Reto Müller, Martina Morger, Thomas Stüssi, Lika Nüssli, Karin Karinna Bühler, moilesautresart
A cooperation with Rathaus für Kultur. For more Info see here.
Art Walk on Riverside: Thur and Necker Trail
accessible at any time
with: Anna Maria Fink (AT), Lucie Tuma (CH) and Mirre Yayla Séur (NL)
The Dogo Residency for New Art was invited by Toggenburg Tourism to accompany the development of five semi-permanent, site-specific artworks along the rivers Thur and Necker. The works are part of a regional initiative that is redesigning an 80-kilometre-long walking trail under the guiding principle of mindfulness. Artists Anna Maria Fink (AT), Lucie Tuma (CH), marce norbert hörler (CH), Mirre Yayla Séur (NL) and Studio ERBA (AT/NL) were selected in a multi-stage process for various locations along the trail, including a power station, a river mouth and a waterfall. Three of the five works in progress will celebrate their vernissage on 27 September 2025, as part of the opening of the Thur and Necker Trail. The opening of the works by marce norbert hörler and Studio ERBA will take place in 2026.
The resulting works approach the respective locations using installation, performance and participatory methods. They reveal subtle interconnections and mutual dependencies between human and more-than-human actors – along geological, biological and cultural timelines. In doing so, they make the porous boundaries between self and environment tangible and offer walkers a new, unfamiliar access to the Toggenburg landscape through the lens of art.
The selected artists have been developing their work since February 2024 during recurring research and production stays in Toggenburg. This gives them the opportunity to engage intensively with the region and to contextualise their work. Production takes place in close collaboration with regional partners in Toggenburg and Eastern Switzerland. Particular attention is paid to the careful use of resources, minimal intervention in the environment and working with natural, changing materials.
Curation: Johannes Reisigl | Production: Hanes Sturzenegger | Production assistance: Maura Kressig, Sirkka Ammann | Curatorial consultation: Lisa Mazza (BAU – Institute for Contemporary Art and Ecology) | Curatorial and fundraising consultation: Ursula Badrutt Schoch
Supported by: Toggenburg Tourismus | Kanton St.Gallen Kulturförderung / Swisslos | Kultur Toggenburg | Lienhard Stiftung | Otto Gamma-Stiftung | Dr. Fred Styger Stiftung | Hans und Wilma Stutz Stiftung | H. und A. Baumberger-Germann Stiftung
Further information on the entire programme and schedule can be found on the Thur- und Neckerweg website.