Processioned Cross with Franciscan Saints (recto)

Artist

Raphael Hefti

Born in Bern, Switzerland

The Alchemist of Industry

Raphael Hefti stands as a singular figure in contemporary art, acting much like a modern-day alchemist or a pseudo-scientist peering into the transformative potential of the physical world. Born in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, his artistic journey is deeply rooted in a fascination with the hidden forces that govern matter. Before fully committing to the realm of fine art, Hefti completed an apprenticeship as an electronics technician, a background that provides the technical scaffolding for his experimental practice. This unique foundation allows him to engage with industrial materials and manufacturing processes not merely as subjects, but as collaborators in a delicate dance between precision and unpredictability.

His creative process is characterized by a profound engagement with the boundaries of technology and chemistry. Hefti often seeks out points of failure within established production methods, pushing manual or industrial processes to their absolute limits. Whether he is manipulating chemical reactions, overstretching materials, or utilizing extreme heat to alter steel, his work exists in a palpable tension between the sublime and the hazardous. By intentionally misdirecting industrial procedures, he reveals the unexpected beauty found within ordinary substances, transforming the invisible substructures of contemporary culture into tangible, sculptural experiences.

A Journey Through Materiality and Collaboration

The development of Hefti’s practice is marked by a continuous evolution of technique and an expanding repertoire of materials. His education at ECAL in Lausanne and the Slade School of Fine Art in London helped refine his ability to blur the lines between the natural and the industrial, as well as the abstract and the representational. A defining feature of his work is the deep level of collaboration required to bring his visions to life; he builds close relationships with specialized skilled workers, technicians, and scientists. These partnerships are essential for his quest to manipulate complex processes, such as the manufacture of museum glass or the use of Lycopodium moss spores in creating photograms.

Through these exchanges of trust and shared experimentation, Hefti’s work emerges from a confluence of performance and technology. His actions are often performative, occurring both in private laboratories and public spaces, where he explores how materials react when subjected to extreme conditions. This approach allows him to address profound questions regarding control, chance, and the very nature of materiality, creating objects that feel as though they have been caught in a moment of metamorphosis.

Recognition and Artistic Legacy

Hefti’s career has been distinguished by significant institutional recognition and prestigious accolades. His trajectory has seen him exhibit at esteemed venues such as the Camden Art Centre in London, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and Kunsthalle Basel. These exhibitions have showcased his ability to command large-scale installations that challenge the viewer's perception of stability and form. His talent was notably recognized early on when he won the Swiss Art Award national prize in 2012.

As he continues to influence the landscape of contemporary visual arts, his recent achievements further cement his status among the most internationally recognized Swiss artists of his generation. A significant milestone includes being awarded the Paul Boesch Art Prize 2026, an honor that celebrates his profound contribution to the field of visual arts in Switzerland. Through his relentless pursuit of the transformative, Raphael Hefti continues to redefine the boundaries between art, craftsmanship, and industry, leaving an indelible mark on the way we perceive the manufactured world.

Museum

Museo Poldi Pezzoli

On show in Milan, Italy

A Milanese Palazzo of Dreams: The Soul of Museo Poldi Pezzoli

To step across the threshold of the Museo Poldi Pezzoli is to abandon the modern bustle of Milan and enter a meticulously crafted dreamscape, a sanctuary where the boundaries between a private residence and a public gallery dissolve. Nestled within an elegant palazzo on Via Manzoni, this house museum serves as a profound testament to the singular passion of its founder, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. Unlike the cavernous, impersonal halls of many grand institutions, the Poldi Pezzoli offers an intimate encounter with the aesthetic sensibilities of the nineteenth-century aristocracy. Every room feels like a carefully orchestrated tableau, where the whispers of and history emanate from gilded furniture, silken tapestries, and the soft glow of period lighting, inviting visitors to lose themselves in a beautifully preserved era of refinement and splendor.

The museum’s narrative is one of profound emotional depth and technical mastery. One cannot wander these halls without being moved by

Botticelli’s Lamentation over the Dead Christ with Saints

, a work of such delicate tempera on wood that it captures the very essence of grief and spiritual devotion. This Florentine masterpiece finds its counterpart in the exquisite

Ritratto di Giovancella

by Antonio Pollaiolo, housed within the celebrated Golden Room. Here, the masterful use of chiaroscuro and vibrant color embodies the elegance of Milanese high society, creating a dialogue between the solemnity of religious devotion and the sophisticated grace of the Belle Époque.

A Treasury of Craftsmanship and Renaissance Splendor

Beyond the canvas, the museum reveals itself to be a treasure trove for those captivated by the artistry of craftsmanship. The legendary Armoury stands as a monumental highlight, where the metallic sheen of medieval swords, Renaissance cuirastes, and intricate pistols tells a gripping story of human ingenuity and military history. This fascination with the tactile and the decorative extends into every corner of the palazzo; visitors encounter an astonishing array of ceramics, from delicate porcelain to earthy faience, alongside furniture upholstered in sumptuous fabrics and lace woven with microscopic precision.

For the art lover or the interior designer, these rooms offer an unparalleled masterclass in how art, ornament, and architecture can coalesce to create a unified, immersive environment. The collection breathes through a cosmopolitan lens that embraces the finest achievements of Northern Europe alongside the rhythmic heart of the Italian Renaissance. Notable elements of this decorative splendor include:

The Golden Room:

A space where vibrant colors and masterful light embody aristocratic elegance.

The Armoury:

A profound collection showcasing the evolution of military artistry and metalwork.

Decorative Arts:

An exquisite selection of ceramics, fine porcelain, and intricately woven textiles.

The legacy of the Poldi Pezzoli is also one of remarkable resilience. Though the palazzo endured significant damage during the devastation of World War II, the spirit of its collection remained unbroken, preserved through the foresight of those who moved the treasures to safety. The subsequent reconstruction and meticulous restoration efforts have breathed new life into the museum, allowing contemporary viewers to witness the brilliance of Pollaiuolo's colors with a clarity that honors Poldi Pezzoli’s original vision. Today, the museum stands not merely as a repository of historical artifacts, but as a living, breathing monument to the idea that art should inspire both the intellect and the soul.