Les Complices*

Les Complices*. An artist collective founded in Zurich in 1994, operating at the intersection of visual arts, urban space, and social discourse. The group is known for its interdisciplinary projects that critically engage with themes of public space, gender, and institutional critique, often employing site-specific and participatory art strategies. Their work has been presented in numerous exhibitions across Europe and internationally, contributing significantly to debates within the Swiss art scene and broader contemporary art practices.

History

The collective was established in the mid-1990s within the vibrant cultural milieu of Zurich, a city with a strong tradition of alternative culture and avant-garde movements like the Dada movement. Emerging in a post-Cold War Europe, their formation coincided with a period of renewed focus on identity politics and critiques of globalization. Early activities were often rooted in the Kunsthalle and off-space scenes, engaging directly with the city's urban fabric. Their development has been documented in publications by institutions like the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst and discussed in relation to other European collectives such as Superflex and Rirkrit Tiravanija.

Artistic approach and themes

Central to their practice is a process-based and collaborative methodology that blurs the boundaries between artist, curator, and audience. They frequently employ performance, video art, and temporary installations to interrogate the politics of public space and the mechanisms of the art market. Recurring themes include the construction of social norms, the performance of gender identity, and the economics of cultural production. Their work often references theoretical frameworks from Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, while maintaining a distinctly playful and accessible aesthetic. This approach aligns with broader tendencies in Relational Aesthetics and institutional critique practiced by figures like Andrea Fraser.

Notable works and exhibitions

Key projects include "*Hotel Abyss*" (1999), a temporary, interactive installation examining themes of transience and hospitality, presented at the Kunsthaus Zürich. The extensive "*Public Relations*" series involved interventions in various European cities, including Berlin and Vienna, exploring the commodification of social interaction. They have participated in major exhibitions such as the Manifesta 4 in Frankfurt and group shows at the Kunstmuseum Lucerne and the Centre d'Art Contemporain Genève. Their work is held in the collections of the Kunstmuseum Bern and the Fonds municipal d'art contemporain de la Ville de Paris.

Members and collaborators

The collective has maintained a flexible, non-hierarchical structure, with a core group of artists and a rotating network of participants from diverse fields such as architecture, sociology, and sound art. While membership has shifted, key figures have included artists educated at the Zurich University of the Arts. They have collaborated with institutions like the Shedhalle Zürich and individuals such as curator Hans Ulrich Obrist. Their collaborative model echoes the strategies of other groups like LuckyPDF and Claire Fontaine, emphasizing collective authorship over individual celebrity.

Legacy and influence

Les Complices* has played a pivotal role in shaping a generation of socially engaged, collaborative art practice in Switzerland and beyond. Their work prefigured the now-commonplace artist-led, project-based approach that critiques neoliberalism and fosters community dialogue. They have influenced subsequent collectives within the Rhine region and contributed to pedagogical models at academies like the École cantonale d'art de Lausanne. Their archive is part of the research collections at the Swiss Institute for Art Research, ensuring their interdisciplinary experiments remain a subject of study for historians of 21st-century art.

Category:Artist collectives Category:Contemporary art Category:Swiss artists Category:Organizations based in Zurich Category:1994 establishments in Switzerland