(Max Bill – das absolute Augenmass)
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1908 Born and raised in Winterthur, Switzerland |
| 1923 Approved School in Oetwil am See ZH/Switzerland |
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| 1924-1927 Arts and Crafts school Zurich |
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| 1925 Study trip to Paris (Le Corbusier, Melnikoff) 1926 Study trip to Italy |
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1927-1928 Study at the Bauhaus in Dessau with Albers, Kandinsky, Klee, Moholy-Nagy and Schlemmer |
| 1928 Stay in Positano, Italy |
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| 1929 Painter, sculptor, graphic designer, publicist, architect in Zurich |
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1930 Took part in the cabaret „the Crater“ |
| 1931 Marriage to Binia Spoerri |
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| 1932-1936 Member of „Abstraction Création“ in Paris |
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| 1932 Acquaintance with Hans Arp, first visit to Piet Mondrian |
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1933 Move into own house in Zurich-Höngg, the beginning of the lifelong friendship with Georges Vantongerloo in Paris, first larger sculpture |
| 1935 Sculpture: the infinite loop. Painting: “quinze variations sur un même thème" Contact with Max Ernst and Alberto Giacometti Stay in the Ticino with Aline Valangin, Max Ernst and Vladimir Vogel |
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1936 Swiss Pavillon at the Triennale di Milano, awarded the Grand Prix First version of the text for “Concrete Design” |
| 1937-1938 Joined the Swiss Artist’s Association „Alliance”, Contact with Antoine Pevsner Paris: first meeting with Marcel Duchamps, Printing of “quinze variations” in Paris, at the same printers used by Henri Matisse. Text” Concrete Design” in work no. 8/1938. |
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1939 Worked with Hans Schmidt for the Swiss National Exhibition. Holiday in Chateau de la Sarraz with Hans Curjel, Ernesto N. Rogers, Alfred Roth, Georges Vantongerloo |
| 1939-1945 Repeated military service |
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| 1940 The Swiss state security considers Max Bill a “left extremist” to be interned in case of war |
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| 1940-1944 Text „Paul Klee“, Work No. 8/1940 Bill founds “Alliance Publishing” Construction of a house in Bremgarten using prefabricated building elements. Birth of his son, Jakob Bill. First exhibition “Concrete Art” at the Kunsthalle Basle. Beginning of design activities |
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| 1944-1945 Lecturer at the Arts and Crafts school Zurich |
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| 1945 Working on reconstruction after the war, Contact with Adrien Turel, stay in Paris with George Vantongerloo, contact with Frank Kupka there First conference in Milan for the reconstruction in Italy |
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| 1946-1947 Large version of the sculpture “Continuity“ and first statue, friendship with Henry van de Velde |
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| 1948 First journeys to Germany after 1932, meeting with Willi Stoph in Leipzig, guest lecturer in Darmstadt, Stuttgart, stay in Frankfurt, Munich, Ulm. Lecture at the SWB in Basle: “Beauty out of function and as a function”, printed in work no. 8/1949 |
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| 1949 Exhibition „the good shape“ at the trade fair in Basle, at the Work Federation exhibition in Cologne, subsequently as a travelling exhibition in Switzerland, Germany and Austria Kandinsky award Member of the UAM, Union des artistes moderne, Paris Exhibition “Pevsner, Vantongerloo, Bill” at the Kunsthaus Zurich (text in the catalogue) Tomas Maldonado visits Zurich Monograph “Robert Maillart”, bridge builder |
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1950 Planning the College for Design in Ulm |
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1951 Swiss Pavillon at the Triennale di Milano, Grand Prix again (as in 1936) and two gold medals, working in association with Le Corbusier, Ernesto Nathan Rogers, Georges Vantongerloo, Adrian Turel and Giuseppe Somona Solo exhibition of Max Bill in São Paulo (March-May), Bill does not attend. Grand Prix for sculpture at the Biennale de Arte São Paulo, Publication about Kandinsky On 14 Jan. the Swiss consulate reports to the Swiss state security that “Ingeborg Scholl”, survivor of the Nazi murder of the siblings Scholl, has “left extremist” connections. |
| 1951-1956 Architect and principle of the College of Design in Ulm |
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1952-1953 New edition of “Concerning The Spiritual In Art” by Kandinsky Member of the Central Board of SWB (until 1962) Various publications Memorial “the unknown political prisoner” in an international competition Journey to Brazil, accompanied by Binia Bill, Lectures in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo Member of the jury for the big architecture award of São Paulo Journey to Peru, where Bill meets Josef and Ami Albers again after 25 years Onward journey to North America, Meeting with Ray and Charles Eames, Philip Johnson, Antoine Pevsner, Edgar Kaufmann jun., Konrad Wachsmann, Mies van der Rohe and so on, Stay in Chicago and New York Third journey to São Paulo 1954 Triennale di Milano, gold medal |
| 1955 Ulm pavillon at the National Exhibition in Stuttgart Publications about Mies van der Rohe and others The Monograph Max Bill is published in Buenos Aires Project for a memorial to Georg Büchner in Darmstadt |
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| 1956 Resigned as principal in Ulm, continued as lecturer there Became member of the German work federation Award for the “Compasso d’oro” |
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1957 Resignation from Ulm due to differences of opinion with the siblings Scholl Foundation (sponsorship of the HfG Ulm) Reopening of the Zurich studio Building of the Cinévox in Neuhausen |
| 1958-1959 Publications Member of the BSA, association of Swiss architects Arrangement of the exhibition “Swiss design” in London |
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| 1959 On 1. April the Swiss federal state security noted Bill as a cosignatory to the petition to lift the ban on showing the film “Way to Fame” by Stanley Kubrik – and as member of the “Club Bel étage” |
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| 1960 Advisor for the national exhibition (Expo) Lausanne 1964, Exhibition “concrete art, 50 years progress”, “documentation on marcel duchamps” Construction of Lichtdruck AG, Dielsdorf (prefabrication) Election to the federal art commission (1961-69) ) |
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| 1961 The French state buys an “infinite loop” Leading architect of section pictures and design Expo 64 Creates a courtyard with fountain in Berlin Politics: Member of the Zurich regional council Construction: Office building „Imbau“ Leverkusen |
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1962 Journey to Montreal Building of radio studios Zurich Organisation of the Vantongerloo exhibition in London On 3 Nov. Swiss State Security notes Max Bill as member of the patrons committee for political amnesty in Franco-Spain |
| 1963-1964 Stage set for „odipus“ in the theater in Ulm Honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, Journey to Saint Louis, Chicago, Montreal, London Monograph Max Bill appears in London, voted to the board of trustees of the siblings Scholl foundation, Expo 64 opening Sculpture in Uster “rhythm in space” George Vantongerloo dies in Paris Swiss State Security registers Bill on 16.3 as patron member of the “anti-atomic” exhibition in Lausanne |
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1965 Construction and furnishing of a tent theatre for „König Ubu“ Participation in the congress “vision 65” at the southern Illinois University, Journey to Dallas Building the Lavina bridge in Tamins GR, Switzerland |
| 1966 Journey to Chicago, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York Extension buildings for radio studio Zurich International award Décor and state set in the state opera Hamburg commissioned by Rolf Liebermann Sculpture “family of five half balls” for the University Karlsruhe On 3.3. Swiss State Security registers Max Bill as Vietnam war opponent |
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1967 Sculpture: 14 m tall „wind column“ for the Swiss pavillon at the world exhibition in Montreal Building of his new home with integrated studio in Zumikon Appointment as Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hamburg (until 1974) Lecture in Aspen USA Elected member of national council of the parliament, in Berne (until 1971) On 30 Oct. Swiss State Security registers (by phone tapping) that the “young section PdA-Zurich” congratulated Bill on his election to the national council |
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1968 The town of Hamburg buys the sculpture “rhythm in space” Participation in the film “22 questions for Max Bill by Georg Radanowicz Presentations in London at the Institute of Contemporary Art, and in Düsseldorf Film about Max Bill by Petra Kipphoff On 18 Dec. Swiss State Security registers Bill’s preparations for a „ Conference for European security and cooperation” in Vienna |
| 1969 Biennale Nürnberg Stay in New York Journey to Graz and Vienna Jury member of “the good shape” of the Federal Ministry of Economics in Germany |
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| 1970 Co-editor of „the great names in world history“ (Kindler) Journey to Tokyo with Federal Councillor Gnägi Member of the subcommittee assisting the urban planning of Jerusalem committee Swiss Federal security registers Bill as owner of the house “Flying Fish” in Zurich, reputed to offer cheap rents and living communes for students |
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| 1971 Member of „Conseil supérieur de la création esthétique industrielle“at the French Ministry Presentation at the Mondrian-Symposium in New York, Journey to London, Boston; Buffalo, New York Jury member of the international diamond jewellery competition Award at the Biennale for sculpture in Budapest |
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1972 Member of the international jury for the Exempla Award, Munich Member of the Academy of fine arts in Berlin Journey to New York, Buffalo and Toronto Arrangement of the Fritz Glarner exhibition at the Kunsthalle Berne Stay in Cairo, Luxor and Karnak Various presentations in Germany and in the USA |
| 1973 Journey to Stockholm Member of the Royal Flemish Academy of sciences, fine arts and literature Honorary counsellor of UNESCO Stay in Rome |
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1974 Preparation for the Max Bill travelling exhibition in the USA Journey to Buffalo, Washington, New York Lecture on the Almir Mavignier exhibition in Zurich Max Bill gets to know the student Angela Thomas in Zurich Arrangement of the exhibition “Max Bill” in Los Angeles |
| 1975 Journey to L.A., Mexico City, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, San Francisco, New York Lectures in Zurich, Stockholm and Rapperswil Stay in Washington and Jerusalem |
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1976 Laudation at the opening of Frank Kupka exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zurich Max Bill exhibition in Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart Arrangement of the Bill exhibition in Berlin with Angela Thomas Experts conference for UNESCO in Nairobi, Cooperation for the film “Max Bill” by Jean-Louis Roy, Lecture at the Brancusi centenary in Bucharest, Bauhaus college Weimar 50th anniversary of Bauhaus Dessau Planning of a studio complex for Yaacov in France |
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1977 Lectures in Stuttgart and Gelsenkirchen Completion of the Radio Zurich buildings Preparations for a Max Bill exhibition in Parma, Pfäffikon, Linz and Vienna |
| 1978 Installation of „three columns“ in Ulm Arrangement of the Fritz Glarner exhibition, Bottrop The “infinite loop” in the town of Essen Travel to Teheran, mounting of “rhythm in space” Beginning of planning for a pavillon sculpture on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich |
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| 1979 Extension of the house in Höngg for the son’s family Preparation for the travelling exhibition of Georges Vantongerloo in USA Board member of the Bauhaus Archive Berlin Exhibition in Caracas, Travel to Venezuela, Mexico, USA Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Stuttgart university honours Bill with the title Dr. ing. h.c. |
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1980 Exhibition in Winterthur and town Art Award Retrospective in Madrid and Barcelona Solo exhibition in Lugano Mounting of a granite column in Geneva Retrospective Georges Vantongerloo in Washington and in Los Angeles with Angela Thomas, Visiting Ray Eames, and travelling to New York with Angela Thomas Mounting of a ball sculpture in St. Gallen Max Bill is portrayed twice by Andy Warhol |
| 1981 Arrangement of the Vantongerloo exhibition in Brussels, The model of the Pavillon sculpture in Zurich causes a public debate Vantongerloo exhibition in the Kunsthaus Zurich with Angela Thomas Max Bill is honoured with a hall in Padua |
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| 1982 Journey to Jerusalem, meeting Einstein statue by Max Bill in Ulm, inauguration Major order for “continuity” from the Deutsche Bank |
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1983 Installation of two statues 20+16 meters tall in Munich Sculptures are placed in Zurich and Riehen BL Pavillon sculpture is erected on the Bahnhofstrasse Zurich 1984-1985 Beginning of “continuity” for the Deutsche Bank in Carrara, Italy¨ Journey to Chicago, New York, Paris and Budapest Granite sculpture in Goslar Chairman of the Bauhaus Archive, Berlin Two sculptures in Tel Aviv Journey to Egypt and Berlin Presentation of two sculptures in Berlin Solo exhibition in Todi, Italy Spiral in Dortmund Commandeur in the “Ordre des arts et des letters” |
| 1986 Retrospective Georges Vantongerloo in Milan, Berlin, Bottrop Vice-president Academy of Arts Berlin Retrospective Max Bill in Budapest, Belgrad Presentation of “continuity” at the head office of the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt Sculpture in Utrecht |
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1987 Designing of a Swiss 5-Franc-coin for 100-anniversary of Le Corbusier Retrospective Max Bill in Weimar, Prag, Frankfurt |
| 1988 Erster Preisträger des Premio Marconi in Bologna First winner of Premio Marconi award in Bologna Exhibition of graphic series in Leipzig, Bauhaus Dessau, Rostock Tributes for 80th birthday in Winterthur Lecture by Max Bill in Moscow, accompanied by Dr. Angela Thomas Final entry in data of Swiss State Security: Death of first wife Binia Bill-Spoerri |
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| 1989 Solo exhibition Max Bill at the Kunsthaus Zurich and KKK Max Bill Poster exhibition in Zurich Memorial exhibition at the HfG in Ulm Piepenbrock award for sculpture in Osnabrück Order for monument placed by Ernst Bloch, Ludwigshafen Three statues and square design in Stuttgart-Möhringen Max Bill gets to know the American artist Keith Haring Sculpture in front of Winterthur Insurance building mounted, later collapsed |
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1990-91 Solo exhibition Max Bill in Ludwigshafen Helmut Kraft award in Stuttgart Arrangements for the play ”Hercules in the Augean Stables” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt to commemorate 700 years of Swiss federal government at the Bundeshaus in Berne Graphic series in Ljubljana, Slowenia Solo exhibition of Max Bill at the Casa Rusca, Locarno arranged with Angela Thomas 30 December marriage to Angela Thomas |
| 1992 Erection of a large sculpture in Studen near Biel-Bienne Installation of a granite sculpture in Zurich-Zollikon “Endless steps” bought by Swiss government for the federal University of technology in Lausanne |
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1993 Creation of Movado clock/watch Bill and Angela Thomas received by Richard von Weizsäcker and Manfred Stolpe in Berlin Presentation of the “Nobel prize” for art, The fifth imperial premium in Tokio Construction of a large granite sculpture in Schaan |
| 1994 Inauguration of a multicolour pavillon sculpture made of granite in Berlin Large sculpture by the European Patent Office in Munich Wooden pavillon sculpture at the Deutsche Bank in Ulm Arrangement of Hans Hinterreiter exhibition in Baden Honorary doctorate at the ETH Zurich Death at the airport in Berlin |
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