Sculpture Network Lab – Consoling and Trust

On 13 November 2019, Sculpture Network Lab will continue its investigative series of talks in Zurich. In these talks, entitled "Consoling and Trust” we will ask artists, scientists and philosophers, among others, about their insights into how to deal with consolation and it’s resulting perspectives for our society. What does one experience while dealing with consolation through closeness and trust? And what role does one’s attitude play in this context? With "Sculpture Network Lab", Sculpture Network e.V. continues the international series of events that begun in 2017. At various, well-known locations in different European cities, contemporary questions will be answered using a combination of three-dimensional art representations, among other methods involving disciplines such as science, politics and philosophy.

In the midst of suffering and loss, the need for consolation arises. One may choose to find consolation in rituals, familiar places, music, literature, art, relationships, faith, confrontation, contemplation, or in distraction. Consolation marks a necessary collision between the inner emotional world and the external environment.

Highly esteemed individuals will be attending this event to discuss these topics: 

Dr. Suzann-Viola Renninger
Philosopher, Zurich

After studying Natural Sciences, Ms. Renninger earned her doctorate in philosophy with minors in scientific theory and anthropology at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Her doctoral thesis dealt with the question of the origin of language.

Over the next fifteen years she launched her own software company, worked in the editorial office of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung and later as an editor of the Schweizer Monatshefte, all while raising her son, Julian.

Now, she is the head of the department of Philosophy at the University of Zurich where she researches and lectures in philosophy of economics, empirically informed ethics and applied ethics. 

Dr. Andreas Losch
Ev. theologian, Author, Bern

Losch is a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry (CTI) in Princeton, USA, a member of the Council of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Karl Heim Society. He is also editor-in-chief of the Dialog Theologie & Naturwissenschaft webpage.

As an expert in the conversation between theology and the natural sciences, he is familiar with the connection between the two perspectives, which are oftentimes assigned to different realities. One lens is subjective from the inside and the other objective from the outside. In which reality does man find comfort?

Franco Baumgartner
Former Managing Director of Die Dargebotene Hand, Author, Zurich

Former Managing Director of "Die Dargebotene Hand" (the offered Hand), author Franco Baumgartner (lic. phil.) studied history and journalism in Zurich and worked as a journalist for many years. Since 2009 he has been a volunteer at Tel 143 in Zurich. In 2011, Baumgartner was also a member of the association, "Die Dargebotene Hand,” where he worked professionally as a managing director until recently. 

His book "Die Seelentröster", 60 Jahre Dargebotene Hand - eine Erfolgsgeschichte (The Soul Comforter), tells the story of his work with Tel 143, taking into account new findings from neuroscientific research and results from voluntary work studies. People may call the help line for a multitude of reasons, whether it be a crisis, desire for affection, or just to talk. What actually helps the thousands of people seeking help? What motivates volunteers for this demanding work? What does it mean to listen actively?

Karin Schneuwly
Author, Editor, Bibliotherapist, Zurich

Karin Schneuwly (lic. phil.) studied German language and literature as well as philosophy and comparative literature in Zurich, Frankfurt, and Paris. She later spent two years at Unionsverlag in Zurich and three years as an editor at Lars Müller Publishers, a publishing house for architecture, art, and design. She was also responsible for the programmes and projects of the Literaturhaus Zürich for nine years. After training in art therapy, she completed a course in bibliotherapy at the Fritz Perls Institute. Her first book "Glück besteht aus Buchstaben" was published in 2017. 

Today she is a freelance copywriter, editor, and bibliotherapist. She works with a network of experts in the fields of translation, design, photography, integrated communication, and multimedia. 

As a bibliotherapist she uses the healing power of language and stories, because "literature gives you the opportunity to see a different perspective" and "happiness consists of letters".

Jürgen Batscheider
Sculptor, painter, Memmingen / Berlin

While attending the State School of Sculpture in Berchtesgaden, which he graduated with honours in 1989, Jürgen Batscheider was already the organizer of the international artists' symposium "Demeter" on the island of Milos, which featured Melina Mercouri, who was the Greek Minister of Culture at the time.

His activities and works include, the Allgäu Art Symposia, multiple Kunst am Bau  projects and local image designs. For example, for the rafting town of Wolfratshausen 2017. He has also worked on numerous designs for book titles and exhibitions such as Batscheider meets Barock at the Management Centrum Schloss Lautrach, boatpeople in Neustadt/Holstein, which opened the Memminger Mile in 2017. Der Mensch und das Meer (Man and the sea), which is an overall show and solo exhibition with paintings, photographs, installations and sculptures from the previous 5 years in the monastery of Ochsenhausen in 2018.

His commemorative sculpture, The Sun Ball, which was for the victims of Germanwings Flight 4U9525 on 24 March 2015 attracted international attention. Since the second anniversary of its installation in 2017, the sculpture has been on display at the scene of the accident in the French Alps.

Jürgen Batscheider works in his studios in Berlin, Memmingen and Port Grimaud.