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About this place
Centre PasquArt in Biel/Bienne is a contemporary art centre in the canton of Bern, housed in the city's former hospital. It combines a Kunsthaus for current art, a photography space and an independent cinema under one roof, and it anchors the art scene of this bilingual lakeside town.
What is Centre PasquArt?
The complex sits on the foothills of the Jura. Its neoclassical main building went up between 1864 and 1866 and served as the fourth hospital in the history of Biel/Bienne. Once medical care moved elsewhere, the building was given over to art: the first exhibition opened in part of it in December 1990. The name comes from the Pasquart district and now stands for the whole cultural centre.
What will you see inside?
The core is the Kunsthaus Centre PasquArt, which focuses on contemporary art through solo and thematic exhibitions, occasionally with a historical angle. Its collection holds more than 1,800 works by Swiss and German artists, with an emphasis on people tied to the Biel/Bienne region.
Other tenants in the same building:
- PhotoforumPasquart, devoted exclusively to photography, on the second floor of the old hospital,
- Filmpodium, a non-commercial cinema,
- an education programme for children, schools and adults, run with Nouveau Musée Bienne.
What about the architecture?
In the 1990s the old hospital was thoroughly renovated and a modern annex was added on its eastern side, designed by Basel architects Diener & Diener (work ran from 1994 to 1999). The contrast between the classical block and the austere new wing makes the building worth a look even before you step inside. A foundation, Stiftung Centre PasquArt, founded in 1994, runs the premises.
Why visit?
Visual art, photography and film sit at a single address, so you can fill half a day without crossing town. Exhibitions rotate, so no two visits are alike. Expect German and French as the main languages of presentation, in line with the city's bilingual character.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Centre PasquArt?
In Biel/Bienne, canton of Bern, Switzerland, inside the former city hospital at roughly 47.139 N, 7.240 E.
Is it only an art gallery?
No. Besides the Kunsthaus, the building hosts PhotoforumPasquart and the non-commercial Filmpodium cinema.
Who designed the modern part?
The Basel firm Diener & Diener, which also handled the renovation of the old building between 1994 and 1999.
Where can I check opening hours and current shows?
On the official website, pasquart.ch, since the programme changes through the year.
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