Binia Bill – The Unsung Hero of Swiss Photography
Winterthur, a city where even the cows look smug, is currently hosting a major retrospective of Binia Bill—“Images and Fragments” at the Fotostiftung Schweiz. This gem of an exhibition will be running until January 26, 2025. And let me just say, if you don’t check it out, you’ll have more regrets than a cat that just saw its own reflection.
Binia Bill: The Pioneer You Didn’t Know You Needed
Binia Bill—a name that strikes the right balance between coolness and complexity—has been sneaking under the radar as one of Switzerland’s most pivotal photographers of the 20th century. Imagine being a woman in a field dominated by men, yet still managing to turn heads and snap some of the most brilliant shots of her time. That’s exactly what our dear Binia did! Her work isn’t just a collection of photographs; it’s a captivating mash-up of the modern visual language from the pre-war period combined with her unique sensitivity. In other words, it’s art with a little something extra—like putting an olive in your martini. That’s not just any drink; that’s a classic!
A Journey Through Her Lens
The exhibition starts off with Binia’s early self-portraits. Picture it: young and ambitious, she strides into the early 1930s with the confidence of a cat walking on a tightrope. These images set the stage for what’s to come, as they are juxtaposed against brochures, posters, and advertisements crafted by her husband, Max Bill—essentially the dynamic duo that photography didn’t know it needed. Think of them as the Beyoncé and Jay-Z of the Swiss art scene!
Portraits and Personalities
Moving into the second room, we dive into a collection of portraits that showcase some rather illustrious names, including artists like Hans Arp and Max Ernst. If you thought celebrity connections were just an old Hollywood thing, think again! Binia captures these influential figures with a flair that’s part weird angle, part familiarity—like seeing your favorite celebrity at the grocery store but with a lot more sophistication and a lot less awkwardness.
The Eccentric Life of Everyday
As we navigate through the exhibit, Binia’s eye for the everyday shines through. Whether it’s sheep shearing, small animal markets in Paris, or traveling circuses, she presents a tapestry of life that pulls you in like a well-told story on a Friday night around a campfire. Who knew a sheep could look that good in a photograph?
Art Meets Object: The Final Frontier
In the final stretches of the exhibition, Binia delves into the examination of bodies, objects, and plants. She arranged them against diverse backgrounds, bringing avant-garde freshness, contrast between light and shadow, and a splash of experimental flair! Think of it as a photography class where the pupil has far outgrown the master. Her large-format prints glow with the mastery of someone who always viewed their work as more than mere snapshots; they are true works of art. You know, the kind that makes you ponder if you, too, should take up photography…and that’s a gateway drug I won’t be promoting!
A Hidden Treasure Comes to Light
Despite her significant contributions, Binia’s photographic estate remained shrouded in mystery until her son Jakob Bill and his wife Chantal came on board like the Avengers assembling. Thanks to their support, we are finally seeing her work preserved and appreciated. Treasures from the past don’t just fade away; they can come alive again, much like a well-used Polaroid film with a little TLC!
Meet the Artist—Sort of
As we venture into the less glamorous backstory, let’s take a moment to honor the woman behind the lens, Binia Mathilde Spoerri. Born in 1904, she navigated her journey from being a cellist in Zurich to studying photography in Paris, ultimately becoming a tireless collaborator with Max Bill. She was the kind of woman who had more creative ideas than what Swiss chocolate has to offer—an impressive feat! And her photography career truly flourished despite the odds stacked against female photographers of her era. Just look at her solo exhibition, “plants / animals / people / earth / water / air”—a striking display of diversity and range!
Special Events: Mark Your Calendars!
The exhibition not only offers a chance to behold Binia Bill’s work but also includes some exciting events that will make you feel like you’re part of an art-centric society. Every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., join a public tour of the exhibit. If public speaking isn’t your cup of tea, fear not—there’s an exhibition discussion scheduled for November 17, 2024. You’ll get to question reality alongside curator Teresa Gruber and Jakon Bill. Like a good detective novel, it’s bound to unveil layers you never considered!
In Conclusion
So, if you’re in the area, or fancy a trip to Switzerland (who wouldn’t?), don’t miss this opportunity to witness Binia Bill’s remarkable journey through her lens. Remember, the exhibition at Fotostiftung Schweiz isn’t just a showcase of photographs. It’s a reminder that the stories behind the images often hold more weight than the images themselves. Like the punchline of a well-crafted joke, it’s all in the delivery!
The retrospective exhibition titled “Images and Fragments,” showcasing the remarkable works of acclaimed photographer Binia Bill, is currently on display at the Fotostiftung Schweiz in Winterthur. This captivating exhibition will be available for viewing until January 26, 2025, providing a rich and comprehensive exploration of her artistic contributions and celebrating her status as a trailblazer in the realm of modern photography.
Binia Bill is now celebrated as a pivotal figure within Swiss photography of the 20th century. Her photographs serve not only as significant historical documents that reflect the vibrant art and cultural spirit of her era but also stand as self-contained artworks that blend the modern visual vernacular of the pre-war years with her own unique artistic sensitivity and nuance.
The exhibition showcases a diverse array of photographic works, ranging from applied photography to more artistic, free-form creations. Visitors can explore a compelling collection that includes product presentations, architectural photographs, portraits, still lifes, and intricate plant studies. In the initial gallery space, a captivating series of self-portraits introduces the ambitious and confident young Binia Bill, who embarked on her professional journey in the early 1930s with remarkable determination. Early commissioned works of hers are thoughtfully juxtaposed in showcases alongside brochures, posters, and advertisements designed by her husband, the influential architect Max Bill. Among their notable collaborations was the Wohnbedarf company, established in 1931, for whom Binia meticulously documented not only Max’s advertising initiatives on storefronts and building façades but also his artistic projects and the iconic studio house constructed in Zurich-Höngg in 1933. Through her lens, Binia Bill played a vital role in shaping the public’s perception of her husband’s contributions as both an architect and an artist.
The second gallery features a striking collection of portraits that reflect the Bills’ connections and friendships with notable figures, including the architect couple Elsa Burckhardt-Blum and EF Burckhardt, alongside prominent artists such as Hans Arp, Max Ernst, and Verena Loewensberg. Binia’s portrayal of these personalities demonstrates her ability to capture intimate familiarity through innovative perspectives and a warm, familiar production style. Another significant segment of the exhibition captures groups of images depicting scenes such as sheep shearing, a small animal market in Paris, and the vibrant atmosphere of a traveling circus, all presented in a compelling, reportage-style format.
The concluding section of the exhibition focuses on Binia Bill’s artistic exploration of bodies, objects, and plants, artfully arranged against diverse backdrops. Influenced by avant-garde photography of her time, she pushed the boundaries of the medium, emphasizing the exquisite details of surfaces, contrasting light and shadow, and experimenting with unique angles and compositions.
Large-format prints created by Binia Bill for exhibitions in the 1930s illustrate her dedication to elevating her photographs from mere applied work to recognized art. These vintage prints are complemented by approximately 78 newly produced inkjet prints, many of which are being presented for the first time, made possible through a thorough restoration and digitization of her extensive negative archive.
Binia Bill’s enduring legacy and contributions to photography affirm her rightful place in the annals of international photographic history. As one of the few female photographers in Switzerland during the first half of the 20th century, she deftly navigated both applied and artistic photography. Today, her remarkable works are integral to the visual narrative of Swiss modernism.
Since early 2024, the entirety of her photographic estate has been preserved under the care of the Swiss Photo Foundation, which undertook its cleaning and reorganization with the generous financial backing of Jakob and Chantal Bill. This momentous archive handover and subsequent processing will culminate in the exhibition “Binia Bill – Pictures and Fragments.”
Biography
Binia Mathilde Spoerri (1904–1988) grew up in Zurich-Fluntern, where she developed a passion for the cello during her formative years. After honing her skills as a concert cellist in Paris, she attended Lucia Moholy’s acclaimed photography class at the Itten School in Berlin in 1930. Upon returning to Zurich, Binia Spoerri began her career as a freelance photographer. In 1931, her marriage to the architect and artist Max Bill marked the beginning of a profound artistic collaboration. Her first and only solo exhibition during her lifetime, titled “plants / animals / people / earth / water / air” occurred in December 1935. The following year, Binia Bill represented Switzerland in the pavilion at the VI Triennale di Milano, an endeavor orchestrated by her husband. Notably, her exhibition presence during the 1930s was exceptional, considering the dearth of female photographers in Switzerland who enjoyed similar recognition and self-perception. Following the birth of her son in 1942, Binia Bill took a step back from photography, allowing her archive to fall into obscurity. It wasn’t until after her passing that her son Jakob, along with his wife Chantal, discovered her photographic oeuvre and began to advocate for her work through the max, binia + jakob bill foundation, ultimately transferring her collection to the Swiss Photo Foundation in 2023.
The book for the exhibition
Binia Bill’s photographs resonate with the influence of the Bauhaus movement and the documentary photography prevalent during her time, reflecting her connections with the Zurich Concretes. Yet, her still lifes, portraits, and flower studies exhibit a personal and distinct visual narrative. The carefully selected photographs in this publication showcase her unique vision.
The book was published for an exhibition at the Aargauer Kunsthaus, Aarau
“Binia Bill – Photographs”
144 pages, 120 black and white illustrations, thread binding, hardcover, format 23.5 x 27 cm
Published by Aargauer Kunsthaus, 2004
Publisher Scheidegger + Spiess, Zürich
Price: CHF 48.00
ISBN 978-3-85881-155-4
The book can be purchased at bookstores in the Shop of the Swiss Photo Foundation or ordered directly from the publisher.
The exhibition can be seen until January 26, 2025. It was curated by Teresa Gruber.
Events
Every Sunday, 11:30 a.m
Public tour through the exhibition Binia Bill – Pictures and Fragments
Sunday, November 17, 2024, 11:30 a.m
Who was Binia Bill? Exhibition discussion featuring curator Teresa Gruber and Jakob Bill
Sunday, January 19, 2025, 11:30 a.m
Binia Bill and the Zurich Concretes. Exhibition tour led by Thomas Haemmerli, director and co-editor of the publication Kreis! Square! Progress!
Photo Foundation Switzerland
Grüzenstrasse 45
CH-8400 Winterthur
Telephone 052 234 10 30
What themes are explored in Binia Bill’s photography as highlighted in the exhibition and accompanying book?
Te art scene. In conjunction with the exhibition, a beautifully curated book has been published, providing insight into her life and work. The book features a selection of her most significant photographs, essays by art historians, and contributions from contemporary photographers influenced by her legacy. It seeks to encapsulate the essence of her artistic journey, showcasing her unique perspective on the interplay between people, nature, and objects. This publication serves not only as a companion to the exhibition but also as a testament to Binia Bill’s lasting impact on the world of photography.
In a world often dominated by flashy modern imagery, Binia Bill’s work invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the beauty found in everyday moments. Her ability to infuse photographic subjects with depth and emotion continues to inspire new generations of artists, making her retrospective not just an art show but a celebration of creative perseverance and innovation. If you haven’t yet visited the Fotostiftung Schweiz, now is the perfect time—immerse yourself in the enduring legacy of a pioneering woman who dared to envision and redefine the art of photography.
