Curating Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses with Alex Klein at Museum Tinguely, Switzerland

Alex Klein, Head Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Contemporary Austin, discusses her curatorial background that spans over two decades and how his training as an artist and art historian shaped her five-year research into Carl Cheng's previously undocumented archive for the traveling exhibition "Nature Never Loses."

Klein describes first encountering Cheng through experimental photography, then discovering broader works like the erosion machines, leading to a grant-funded, COVID-era process of weekly archive reviews with Cheng and gallerist Philip Martin. She explains Cheng's philosophy that "nature never loses," her critiques of capitalism, branding, and authorship (including the John Do Co alter ego), and the exhibition's non-chronological, six-section structure across multiple venues, including the Tinguely Museum in Basel through May 2026. Key works discussed include Anthropocene Landscapes which are made up of circuit boards, the sand rake installation, erosion machines, molded plastic photographs, the Avocado Laboratory, and public art tools like Walk On L.A.; Klein also outlines the curator's advocacy, logistics, and restoration needs.

Mentioned in the show:

• Carl Cheng Nature Never Loses
• The Contemporary Austin
• About Alex Klein

Stories from Museums of Switzerland: Podcast Interview Series with Museum Curators

Our podcast series, Conversations with Curators, brings listeners a collection of audio stories that go beyond travel to explore the soul of Switzerland as an art capital. In this series, we focus on in-depth interviews with museum curators across the country. Hear firsthand about their institutions, the histories behind their collections, and the unique perspectives they bring to preserving Swiss culture.

From intimate conversations about curatorial choices to behind-the-scenes insights into exhibitions, every episode captures the voices shaping Switzerland's cultural landscape. Alongside museums, we also feature stories about Swiss cities, iconic brands, and the rich traditions that make the country unique.

In the first season, "Conversations with Curators," celebrates the legacy of Basel's museums. Nestled within just 42 square kilometers, Basel is home to nearly 40 museums—making it a true city of art and culture. In this series, we sit down with curators from across the museums of the city to explore the stories behind the collections, the ideas shaping exhibitions, and the passion that keeps Basel's museums alive. From world-renowned institutions to hidden gems, from the largest to the smallest, join us as we uncover the voices behind the art and heritage that make Basel a museum capital of not just Switzerland, but Europe.

Discover Switzerland through the eyes of those who safeguard its heritage—one interview at a time.

Cover Image: Carl Cheng, Documentation of 'Santa Monica Art Tool' and its installation 'Walk on LA', Santa Monica State Beach, 1988. Courtesy Carl Cheng