Wednesday, 8 September, 2021, 7:00 p.m. 
www.fondationbeyeler.ch/online-talk

With the acquisition of their first video artwork in 1987 – The Way Things Go (1987) by Peter Fischli and David Weiss following its presentation at Documenta 8 in Kassel the same year -Pamela and Richard Kramlich established themselves as early collectors of artists central to the field of media art and its ongoing development. The Kramlich Collection is recognized as one of the most significant and pioneering collections of media art in the world. With over 200 film, video, and media installation works, the Collection offers a unique survey of the importance of the moving image and audiovisual media in contemporary art over the last fifty years.

In November 1997, the Kramlichs engaged the Swiss architects Herzog and De Meuron to design a residence in Napa Valley as both a home for their art collection, and a place to reside and welcome family and guests. Conceived as a network of underground and lightfilled spaces, the unprecedented design advances the presentation of media art by establishing an intimate architectural dialogue between art and the art of living. Ultimately, the Kramlichs have built a home in which the most ambitious and technically challenging works in their Collection can be exhibited, studied, and enjoyed.

Pamela P. Kramlich graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in Art History, and maintains active involvement in contemporary art through the ongoing acquisition and loan activities of Kramlich Collection. Mrs. Kramlich served on the Board of Directors for the Merce Cunningham Foundation and P.S. 1 and is currently President of New Art Trust, a Trustee of SFMOMA, and a member of the Media and Performance Committee at MoMA, the Media Accessions Committee at SFMOMA, and Tate International Council.

The conversation is co-presented by Muse, the Rolls-Royce Art Programme. Fondation Beyeler is partnering with Muse for the biennial Dream Commission. Through this commission, Rolls-Royce supports moving-image works created by emerging and mid-career artists worldwide.

Photo: Dara Birnbaum, Tiananmen Square: Break-In Transmission ©1992, Collection of Pamela and C. Richard Kramlich