Portrait
PhD Bruno Z'Graggen holds a doctorate in social and art history from the University of Zurich and completed continuing education in cultural management at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Lucerne School of Art and Design. He lives in Zurich and works as a freelance curator, focussed on video art since 2012. He also advises artists and researchers on: Career and work development, collaborations, projects, publications and funding plans. From 2006–2023, he was head of the research promotion office at the University of Lucerne on a part-time basis (40-60%).
Diverse activities as a freelance curator, project implementer and consultant
He researches, travels, visits artists, exhibitions and events, looks, reads, listens, reflects, allows himself to be inspired, dreams, exchanges, questions, investigates, learns, evaluates, considers, selects, initiates, conceives, plans, organises and realises projects, looks for money and solutions, keeps the books, negotiates, cooperates, advises and accompanies, networks, guides, manages, produces, designs, runs PR and marketing campaigns, presents and educates about art, speaks, discusses, debates, writes, publishes, edits – and pursues visions.
A core area of his work is the exhibition and dissemination of contemporary art with one focus on video art and another on photography from Mozambique. He is also the co-author of two films, moderates artist’s talks and organises events. Since 2012 he has run the platform VIDEO WINDOW and presents contemporary video art.
Interview with the curator, 041 Kulturmagazin, Lucerne May 2022 (only in German)
Nomen est omen...
Education and Continuing Education, Residencies Abroad
- 2024 Research stay, Instituto Guimarães Rosa (Centro Cultural Brasil-Moçambique), Maputo, supported by The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
- 2023 Research stay, LUX Agency for moving images, London, supported by The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
- 2018 Five-week research residency, co-iki, Arts Living Space, Tokyo
- 2017 Six-month research residency, Videobrasil, São Paulo, supported by The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
- 2015 Certificate. Continuing Education Course, Consultancy in Practice. Module: Basics and Practice in Consultancy, IAP Institute of Applied Psychology, ZHAW School of Applied Psychology
- 2001 CAS Certificate. Cultural Management Practice ABC, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Lucerne School of Art and Design
- 1999 Doctorate / PhD in Social History, University of Zurich
Dissertation (book): Tyrannicide in Toggenburg. The Reign of the Prince Abbots of St.Gallen and Protestant Resistance around 1600 (see: publications) - 1993–1994 One-year research residency, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme Paris, granted by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
- 1992 Licentiate Degree in Social and Art History, University of Zurich