Swiss bank Julius Baer has donated the immersive artwork «Glacier Dreams» by Turkish media artist Refik Anadol to the museum. This captivating piece uniquely combines art, climate awareness, and cutting-edge technology. Anadol's work has already gained international attention, with installations in Singapore and Dubai.
Kunsthaus Zurich is celebrating an extraordinary addition to its collection. Thanks to Julius Baer’s donation, the digital artwork «Glacier Dreams» by Refik Anadol will be permanently displayed in the Chipperfield Building starting in January 2025.
This immersive artwork is based on glacier data and innovatively visualizes the dramatic effects of climate change.
Milestone for the Arts
With this donation, the Swiss private bank reaffirms its connection to the city of Zurich and its commitment to both the arts and technological advancement.
Ann Demeester, Director of the Kunsthaus, stated: «With this work, we can add another milestone in digital art to our collection. Julius Bär is setting a strong example for the future of art.»
AI and Art in Harmony
Anadol’s work is part of Julius Baer’s NEXT initiative, which explores the intersection of art, science, and technology.
By using glacier data and artificial intelligence, the artist creates a unique visual and emotional experience that transcends traditional art forms.
«Glacier Dreams», Refik Anadol, 2023, Projektion Theater Basel (Image: Julius Baer)
Art Highlights Climate Change
«Glacier Dreams» has already gained international attention, with installations in Dubai and Singapore, as previously reported by finews.asia, and most recently in Basel during Art Basel 2023, where it was projected onto the façade of the Theater Basel.
Glacier Dreams, 2023, projected on the façade of Art Science Museum (Image: RAS)
Larissa Alghisi, Chief Communications Officer of Julius Baer, elaborated on the significance of the donation: «We aim to make art accessible while simultaneously raising awareness of urgent issues like climate change.»
A Look Into the Future
The fusion of art and technology, as seen in «Glacier Dreams,» points to the direction that art could take in the coming decades. With the support of Julius Baer, this vision will now become a reality in Zurich.
Art lovers and technology enthusiasts alike can look forward to a unique experience that not only captivates visually but also stirs deep emotions.
Born in 1985 in Istanbul, Refik Anadol now lives in Los Angeles and is a pioneer in AI-based art. His works blend data and technology into immersive artworks, which have been displayed in museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
His work "Machine Hallucinations – Nature Dreams" was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for approximately $1.4 million. His digital works, including NFTs, have also fetched high prices, reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Large-scale projects like "Glacier Dreams" are valued in the millions due to their complexity and scale.
