>> NEW SI FLAG // OLAF BREUNING / Nov 2006 - April 2007
New York local, Swiss artist Olaf Breuning, known for is interest in odd cultural cohesions, will design a new version of the SI flag. Heralding a new phase in the Swiss Institute’s history, with a new director and a new design concept, the flag will be an original Breuning, specially commissioned by the SI to fly on Broadway.

>> Vidya Gastaldon / Solo Show / Jan 17 - Mar 10 2007
The SI is pleased to present the first US solo exhibition of the work of Geneva-based, French artist Vidya Gastaldon. Working with visionary and revelatory symbolism, Gastaldon creates worlds into which her viewers can enter and be transformed. Using mostly her own handiwork to meticulously craft her pieces, she aims to communicate her intentions through her labor. Sewing, knitting, diverse installations of video and drawing manifest vast otherworldly landscapes. Though often using symbols of hippie culture in her language, Gastaldon utilizes the iconography new age culture or eastern religious symbols in her contemporary art practice without irony. // A belief in the possibility to bring power and transcendent change through art practice is essential to the work of Gastaldon. Fabrice Stroun has emphasized her “as someone working on the extreme fringe of contemporary art, on the border with visionary art.” While her non-ironic and generous attitude towards the mystical is perhaps rare, in fact, her interests and influences are shared among an undercurrent of young contemporary artists working with ideas of power, the supernatural and the undeniable transformative power of art.
This exhibition is in cooperation with the Kunstmuseum Thun, Switzerland.

>> GEORG GATSAS / The Process VII// March - May / + Music Festival in May tba
Georg Gatsas captures the protagonists of underground art and music scenes in intimate photographs. In an immediate and undisguised fashion, he creates portraits of artists and musicians, literally trying to be as near as possible to the people he depicts. Icons of the younger New York scene such as Devendra Banhard, Lizzi Bougatsos or the members of the now-disbanded Antipop Consortium, open their doors to Gatsas, who becomes part of their world as they pose for him in bohemian home stories. Gatsas’ approach of getting extremely close to his subjects is at once startling and refreshing. Not only are his portraits disquietingly close, but his method of infiltrating networks of artists and musicians allows him the benefit of proximity in finding new subjects. Utterly unassuming in his manner, he networks effortlessly, finding recommendations for new subjects, knocking on doors and again, charming his way into new scenes. His subjects always pose willingly, opening themselves to Gatsas -- a guest who asks for a lot, but does so modestly. His open and inconspicuous manner allow him to spread and grow his network of subjects, continuing to capture the most interesting and dynamic characters of contemporary art and music.