"Do you remember?" Exhibition in the Helvetia Art Foyer takes you back in time
With the exhibition «Weisch no?», the Helvetia Art Foyer invites visitors on a journey into the past—a journey that brings together art, memories, and feelings of nostalgia. The exhibition brings together works from the Helvetia Art Collection and iconic everyday objects from recent decades. It is complemented by an installation by the artist duo Studer / van den Berg, which brings the fictional mountain world of the «Hotel Vue des Alpes» to life.
The Swiss-German expression "Weisch no?" is a familiar invitation to look back together. Personal memories become shared stories that create a sense of community and connection. Whether historical events, technical innovations or cultural phenomena such as music, fashion, design and games - the exhibition shows how memories shape our identity and connect us with one another. The Art Foyer becomes a place where works of art meet everyday objects and stories from past decades. This combination creates an exciting interplay between aesthetic reflection and lived reality.
Works of art as a time capsule
Paintings and drawings from past decades that reflect the social, political or cultural themes of their time and make them tangible meet contemporary art that deals with memory, time and identity. The focus is on the question of how art preserves, interprets and revives memories - a dialog between past and present. With works by Francis Baudevin, Ernst Baumann, Hans Berger, Beni Bischof, Christoph Draeger, Klodin Erb, Marc Elsener, Hans-Rudolf Fitze, Clare Goodwin, Sven Hoppler, Thomas Huber, Ernst Leu, Zilla Leutenegger, Lutz & Guggisberg, Rudolf Maeglin, Stephan Melzl, Hans Obrecht, Alfred Heinrich Pellegrini, Steiner /Lenzlinger, Gustav Stettler, Hans Stocker, Studer / van den Berg, Christian Vetter, Bernard Voïta, Uwe Wittwer, Peter Wüthrich and Teres Wydler
Cheers to the memories
Nostalgic reminiscing can increase well-being and strengthen a sense of community. "Weisch no?" is an invitation to pause and remember the little and big moments in life: the French fries in the garden pool, the Panini picture that was missing for the album, or the trendy shoulder pads of the 80s. Rubik's cube, Monchichi, cassette player, Tigerfinkli, the telephone with dial, the old games consoles - these and many other objects are more than just objects. They are small time capsules which, together with the works of art on display, tell stories and evoke memories of unforgettable moments. The exhibition in the Helvetia Art Foyer offers space for personal and collective memories - and for the realization of how much the past shapes our present and future. An audio guide complements the exhibition.
Opening hours Helvetia Art Foyer: January 8 to May 7, 2026, Thursday from 4 to 8 pm (except April 2, 2026). Admission free Helvetia Art Foyer, St.Alban-Anlage 26, 4002 Basel. Further information at www.helvetia.ch/artfoyer
