The Bally Foundation has been at the center of cutting-edge artistic innovation since its founding in 2006, fostering creativity and thought-provoking exhibitions. Founded in Lugano, Switzerland, the foundation opened its doors in 1931 in a picturesque lakeside setting to serve as a meeting point between art, nature, and culture. Located at the historic Villa Heleneum nestled along the tranquil shores of Lake Lugano, the serene landscape offers the perfect backdrop for contemplation and creative inspiration—fitting for the foundation’s mission to support contemporary art and provide a space for artists to engage with the world in new ways.
One of the recent exhibitions, the ‘Un Lac Inconnu,’ (an unknown lake) reflected well the Bally Foundation’s commitment to fostering dialogue between the artists and their surroundings. Among the highlights were Paul Maheke’s Feeling the Tides Within the Fluids of My Body, an installation of flowing curtains that symbolized the fluidity of identity and memory. Rebecca Horn’s The Rock That Opens Into a Crystal explored hidden beauty through a seemingly simple rock that reveals crystal formations inside, representing transformation. Emilija Škarnulyt?’s Sunken Cities immersed viewers in an underwater journey through submerged ruins, addressing environmental concerns with poetic imagery.
To enhance the foundations’ goal of promoting art and integrating artists, local and international cultural communities and institutions, the foundation established in 2008 the Bally Artist Award, which is given to artists working in Switzerland whose works are in line with the foundations theme of nature and innovation. In partnership with the Museo della Svizzera Italiana (MASI), the winning artist will have their work enter the MASI’s collection and have an exhibit at the museum as well, the award being then a channel for the artist to enter a prestigious new career level. Monika Emmanuelle Kazi, of Congolese background and now residing in Geneva, was the 2024 winner of the award with her installations project “Mimesis of Domesticity” “that explores the imprints of memory left by the human body within domestic environments.
Reflecting on the transformation of the Villa Heleneum into the Bally Foundation, Foundation Director Vittoria Matarrese remarked: “The challenge was above all to make the space in the Villa suitable for exhibiting works of art, with good lighting and a good heating and air-conditioning system. It had been a long time since all this had been reviewed, including the way in which the public and the services in general were received.” The foundation has been warmly embraced by the public and local community since its opening. “Very well! We are very happy with the results,” Matarrese shared.
This is not just a gallery—it’s a place for broader contemplation, for visitors to immerse themselves in the art and the environment around them.
Whether you’re experiencing Maheke’s moving curtains, Horn’s transformative rock, or Peori’s architectural strings, the Bally Foundation offers an invitation to explore new perspectives and connect with the invisible forces that shape our world. This foundation, with its visionary founders, continues to be a driving force for contemporary art, and each exhibition leaves a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to visit. This is not just a gallery—it’s a place for contemplation, for visitors to immerse themselves in the art and the environment around them, a place where every visit promises a fresh perspective.
Looking to the future, Matarrese highlighted the foundation’s goals: “The aim is to establish the foundation in the area as a real institution, a place for the public to visit and discover, and a place for artists to carry out research and exhibit their work.”
Jimmy McKenzie shares his adventures on Savvy Travels with Jimmy, a platform dedicated to providing travel hacks, expert advice, and budget-friendly tips for the savvy explorer.
Featured Photo: Forsythia Flowers by Artists Petrit Halilaj & Alvaro Urbana Installed at the Bally Foundation. Photo by Paul Clemence
