Despite his international career, the artist Ugo Rondinone (*1964), who grew up in Brunnen, still has close ties to Central Switzerland. His work is characterised by the overwhelming beauty of the landscape and the force of nature. The exhibition title Cry Me a River cites a song that has been interpreted by many singers, including Ella Fitzgerald and Justin Timberlake. In the case of Ugo Rondinone, “river” refers to the River Reuss, which flows out of the Lake Lucerne, in front of the Kunstmuseum Luzern. Inside the museum it seems as if it is snowing, a couple of fish flit by. Ugo Rondinone’s reference to the legendary Inner-Swiss Inwardness and its particular leaning towards materials is no coincidence. The artist stages his cultural origins lovingly and with great exhilaration. A nice example of this are his “Stonefigures”, larger-than-life stone men that continue the tradition of the helpful signposts in the mountains.

In ascetic-looking rooms, Ugo Rondinone focuses on light, sound and form. The optical effects of his installations are easily understood, and their quality lies in this very simplicity.