MONOTYPES
Edition VFO at Kunsthalle Zürich

Edition VFO (Verein für Originalgraphik), the largest fine art print publisher in Switzerland, turns 75 this year. The anniversary marks a new chapter in the history of the Zürich art institution, which moved into Löwenbräukunst at the end of 2022. Not only does the new location at Löwenbräukunst give contemporary printmaking greater visibility, it also enables synergies with neighbouring institutions. Edition VFO will be hosted by Kunsthalle Zürich this September, curating an exhibition of monotypes. The show lasts five days, from 20–24 September, and with this short duration has the character of a happening.

The works exhibited are exclusively monotypes, i.e. works produced using a printing process, but that are only printed once. In the classic monotype, the motif is painted or drawn on a smooth plate and, while the colour is still wet, transferred to an image support applying pressure – the process a mixture of painting, drawing and printmaking. Edition VFO has invited several artists to produce a new monotype for this exhibition. Some artists will be working with this technique for the first time for the show, while others have specialised in this field.

In selecting the participants, Edition VFO is focussing on artists that have a painterly practice or for whom working with prints and monotypes is central. The exhibition presents a new approach to the diversity of the medium of print to a broad audience, as well as opening a dialogue between printing, painting and drawing.

Curated by David Khalat, Director Edition VFO, and Valérie Hashimoto, research associate Edition VFO.