Bechtler Stiftung

About the museum

The Walter A. Bechtler Foundation was established in 1955 by the Zurich entrepreneur Walter A. Bechtler (1905–1994). He was active as a collector of contemporary art and as a member of various committees of the Kunsthaus Zürich, and together with his brother Hans Bechtler initiated the Alberto Giacometti Foundation. Art in public space and works of international importance were particularly close to his heart.

After his death, Ruedi and Thomas Bechtler continued the foundation and lent larger and complex works on permanent loan to several museums, including the Kunsthaus Zürich, the Kunstmuseum St. Gallen and the Aargauer Kunsthaus. In 2005, the two decided to transform the disused industrial site of the former Zellweger spinning mill in Uster into an open, lively urban quarter with art in the park.

For Walter De Maria's floor sculpture "The 2000 Sculpture", the foundation had the Zurich firm EM2N build a dedicated art hall. The skylit hall is tailored to the artist's intentions: the work is meant to be seen only in daylight, whose changing mood constantly alters the white of the 2000 plaster elements. The museum opened in 2022 and, alongside De Maria's work, shows Pipilotti Rist's video installation "I Couldn't Agree With You More" from 1999.

Two rooms are now devoted to art: the skylit hall for De Maria and a second room for temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists. Behind the building extends the freely accessible Zellweger Park, with works of international and Swiss contemporary art from the foundation's collection.

Highlights

• Walter De Maria: "The 2000 Sculpture" in a purpose-built skylit hall
• Pipilotti Rist: video installation "I Couldn't Agree With You More"
• Freely accessible Zellweger Park with contemporary art
• Museum building by the Zurich firm EM2N
• Kunstloop: family trail through the park

Permanent exhibitions

• The 2000 Sculpture (Walter de Maria) – One of the largest floor sculptures in the world: 2000 plaster pieces with five, seven or nine edges lie in strict rhythm across 500 square metres and look different again with every change in daylight.
• I Couldn’t Agree With You More (Pipilotti Rist) – The video installation from 1999 shows the artist in a shopping centre and in an apartment; the foundation acquired it in 2001.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Walter A. Bechtler-Stiftung

Director

Caroline Ziegler

Admission & discounts

Free admission for customers of Bank Avera with the Bank Avera Debit Mastercard and for holders of the Sotheby's Preferred card with up to three guests.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire exhibition area is accessible without barriers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The "Kunstloop" is a family trail through Zellweger Park for children aged 7 to 12 accompanied by an adult (kit at reception, CHF 15 per group). Workshops are also available for school classes.

Getting there & parking

By car from Zurich via the A15 to exit Uster West (then Winterthurerstrasse, Wilstrasse, Weiherallee) or via the A52 to exit 5-Egg and via Riedikon and Niederuster to Weiherallee.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Online shop; library in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit