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

In this episode of 'Conversations with Curators,' host Ajita engages with Dr. Ulf Küster, the Senior Curator at Switzerland's renowned Fondation Beyeler. The discussion centers around the first-ever solo exhibition dedicated to Paul Cézanne at the Fondation, exploring the thematic distribution, architectural allure, and curatorial journey involved in setting up this exhibit. Featuring approximately 80 works, including 58 oil paintings and 21 watercolors, sourced from prestigious collections worldwide, the exhibition delves into the nuances of Cézanne's final and most impactful phase. You gain insights into Cézanne's innovative techniques, such as his unique approach to 'still lives' and his use of unfinished canvases to involve viewers actively. Dr. Küster reflects on Cézanne's influence on modern art and how his revolutionary approach continues to inspire contemporary artists. The episode concludes with details about the interactive watercolor studio and a short film on Cézanne's life and art.

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.

Episode Artwork Copyright:

Paul Cezanne, La Montagne Sainte-Victoire Vue Des Lauves (Montagne Sainte-Victoire as seen from Les Lauves, 1904/05. Oil on canvas, 63.8 x 81.6 cm, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, purchase William Rockhill Nelson Trust. Image courtesy of Nelson-Atkins Digital Production & Preservation

 In this edition of Conversations With Curators, we speak to Florian Setz, Co-Curator, History Museum, Basel Switzerland. One of the largest Roman silver treasure hoards in Europe is on display at the Basel Historical Museum. The exhibition, titled "Treasure Hoards – Hidden, Lost, Found," showcases the most spectacular finds from the Basel region. Treasures from the Bronze Age to the present day are on display, found in north-west Switzerland, Alsace, and southern Baden. The exhibition will run from October 16, 2025, to June 28, 2026, in the Barfüsserkirche.

The valuable objects were once buried, hidden, or sunk in the Rhine for various reasons. They serve as witnesses to the wealth and religious practices of the past, as well as the war, persecution, and personal fates that are closely intertwined with the history of the tri-national region. The oldest treasure was hidden over 3,500 years ago, while the newest was discovered in 1995. The exhibition not only focuses on the treasures themselves but also on the amazing stories of their discovery. Some finds were made by chance, while others were brought to light through meticulous archaeological work.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the Roman silver treasure from Kaiseraugst, one of the largest in Europe. The exhibition presents 270 objects made from almost 60 kilograms of silver.

Another intriguing find is the counterfeit money from Läufel-fingen. Also on display is a Celtic gold treasure discovered in 1883 by construction workers repairing flood damage to the Rhine on the French border with Basel.

Stories from Museums of Switzerland: About 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.

Episode Artwork Copyright: History Musem Basel