The Facts
A fire broke out on the evening of August 2, 2022, in the packing room of the Kunsthaus Zürich. The fire was extinguished by the city's professional fire brigade, and no one was injured. No artworks were in the affected area, so no cultural property evacuations were necessary. However, smoke damage has affected public areas, offices, and collection rooms in the older building, which was constructed between 1910 and 1976. That wing, which also houses the temporary exhibition "Rudolf Koller. Die Skizzenbücher," will remain closed to the public until further notice. The Chipperfield building remains open, presenting the exhibitions "Fellini. Von der Zeichnung zum Film," Impressionist, Dadaist, and contemporary works, as well as the Bührle, Merzbacher, and Looser private collections. Renovation work is expected to take several weeks.
The Signal
The fire at the Kunsthaus Zürich, one of Switzerland's premier art institutions, disrupts access to its historic wing and ongoing programming. The museum's decision to keep the Chipperfield building open ensures continuity for visitors interested in its modern and contemporary holdings, as well as the widely publicized Fellini exhibition. Collectors and curators should note that the forced closure may affect loan agreements and exhibition schedules, particularly for institutions planning to borrow from the Kunsthaus during this period. The incident underscores the vulnerability of older museum buildings and the importance of robust fire safety protocols, especially in storage and packing areas.
- Artists: Rudolf Koller, Fellini
- People: Björn Quellenberg, Urs Eberle
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich
- Locations: Zürich
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