The Daros Latinamerica Collection is a remarkable art collection located in Zurich, Switzerland, dedicated to promoting contemporary art from Latin America. This collection comprises over 2,000 works from the 1960s to the present day, featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, and videos by artists from various countries in Latin America. The collection has been a significant addition to Zurich's cultural scene and has helped raise the profile of Latin American art in Europe.
The Daros Latinamerica Collection was established in 2000 by the Swiss collector Hans-Michael Herzog, who had been travelling to Latin America for over two decades and became enamoured with the region's rich cultural heritage. Herzog started collecting Latin American art in the 1980s and soon amassed a substantial collection that he decided to share with the world. The collection's name "Daros" is derived from the first two letters of his three children's names.
The collection includes works by some of the most significant and influential Latin American artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. These include Brazilian artist Lygia Clark, who was a pioneer of the Neo-Concrete movement in the 1950s; Argentine artist Guillermo Kuitca, known for his complex, layered paintings; and Colombian artist Doris Salcedo, whose sculptural installations explore issues of memory and trauma. Other notable artists in the collection include Gabriel Orozco, Leon Ferrari, and Alfredo Jaar.
The Daros Latinamerica Collection is housed in a spacious, contemporary building designed by the Swiss architects Gigon and Guyer. The building has won several architectural awards and features an extensive exhibition space, a research centre, and a library. The exhibitions are curated by a team of international experts who specialize in Latin American art, ensuring that the collection's works are presented in a meaningful and informative way.
One of the collection's most significant exhibitions was "Revolucao e Arte" ("Revolution and Art"), which showcased the art produced during the Latin American social and political upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibition was a landmark event for the collection, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Latin American art and the role it played in social and political movements.
The Daros Latinamerica Collection has been praised for its dedication to promoting and preserving Latin American art and culture. The collection has sponsored several cultural events and projects in Latin America, including art residencies, exhibitions, and educational programs. In 2013, the collection launched the "Coleccion de Arte Contemporaneo de America Latina" ("Collection of Contemporary Latin American Art"), a new initiative that aims to further expand the collection and promote contemporary Latin American art worldwide.
The collection has also faced criticism from some quarters, with some accusing it of cultural appropriation and the commodification of Latin American art. However, the collection's curators and supporters argue that it is an essential platform for promoting and celebrating Latin American art and culture and that the collection's activities are done with the utmost respect for the artists and their work.
In conclusion, the Daros Latinamerica Collection is a vital institution in Zurich's cultural landscape and a significant force in the promotion of contemporary Latin American art worldwide. The collection's dedication to preserving and promoting Latin American art and culture has helped raise the profile of the region's artists and ensured that their work is seen and appreciated by a global audience. Whether you're a fan of contemporary art or interested in learning more about Latin American culture, a visit to the Daros Latinamerica Collection is an experience not to be missed.
5 Examples:
- In 2000, the Daros Latinamerica Collection was established by Swiss collector Hans-Michael Herzog, with over 2,000 works from the 1960s to the present day.
- In 2003, the collection opened its doors to the public in a spacious, contemporary building designed by Swiss architects Gigon and Guyer.
- In 2011, the collection hosted an exhibition called "La Otra Bienal" ("The Other Biennial"), which showcased works by over 80 Latin American artists that were not included in the official Venice Biennale.
- In 2013, the collection launched a new initiative called the "Coleccion de Arte Contemporaneo de America Latina" ("Collection of Contemporary Latin American Art"), which aims to expand the collection and promote contemporary Latin American art worldwide.
- In 2018, the collection hosted an exhibition called "Doris Salcedo: Palimpsest", which showcased the work of Colombian artist Doris Salcedo, known for her sculptural installations that explore issues of memory and trauma.
