THE ATELIER - The inspiring beauty of the alpine landscape will stimulate your mind and inspire your senses.

WELCOME TO COMBINATION SPACE

„Get yourself out of whatever cage you find yourself in.“

 John Cage

Our goal is to work together to find answers to the global challenges of climate change and digitalization that affect us as humanity. We believe that interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and ideas are key to developing creative behaviors that can help us meet these challenges.

HOW IT BECAME WHAT IT IS?

Simon Berz built his artist’s studio during the pandemic in the old chocolate factory of Cima Norma in the Blenio Valley. In 2023, filmmaker Andi Hofmann moved into the studio as a co-tenant. This has become a space with permaculture garden, workspace, living and music room with kitchen and bathroom, artist’s studio and bar/event space, which is constantly being developed and sustainably expanded with various interested artists* and architects* and is available to artists* as artist in residence. 

THE SPACE

With this „space“ we want to build a network to generate transdisciplinary encounters, knowledge exchange, development of creative behaviors, intercultural encounters, as well as innovation and information exchange about art, science and technology. Intercultural responses to the threat of climate change, digitalization and the associated dehumanization in today’s world will be sought. The generated content will be used to work together towards a global culture of consciousness. 

ARTIST IN RESIDENCY

Do you feel the need to work on a piece in an inspiring environment? We offer the COMBINATION.SPACE to artists and scientists for a working stay of 1-2 weeks. Our place is simple, constantly growing and gives you the opportunity to participate in the growth of COMBINATION.SPACE.

Following the motto of DOCUMENTA Kassel 2022: MAKE FRIENDS NOT ART, a global network is created, which identifies with the idea of sharing, caring, growing and connecting. 

If you are interested, please write us an email and explain what you are interested in, what you do and what you would like to do in COMBINATION.SPACE and when this would be best for you.

We will then get in touch with you.

EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

PERMA >COMBINATION< DAYS

Dangio Torre Ticino 10-16.8.2025

Andi Hofmann, Gabriel Obergfell, Simon Berz

We invite you to join us for a week on the topic of PERMA to artistically engage with the permaculture garden that has been created.

Together, we will reflect on how the concept of permaculture inevitably applies to the art world as well. It’s about preserving diversity, art spaces, and maintaining and gaining art enthusiasts, thereby enabling a deeper understanding between people.

The week will be shaped exclusively by the presence and personal interests of the participants. We will cook together and create what seems meaningful to us during our time together.

Simon Berz will install a previously stored six-channel sound system that has been artfully embedded in flower pots. This installation was originally developed for the Kunsthaus Zürich and now receives an artistic upgrade through this new context.

Andi Hofmann intensively engages with the residents of the valley, portraying them with his characteristic analog Hasselblad camera.

Gabriel Obergfell dedicates himself to the dance exploration and physical interpretation of the permaculture garden, creating a movement-based connection between nature and art.

Are you interested? Then get in touch with us! We only have space and time but no money – everything will be shared among the participants.

On Friday evening, August 15th, there will be a joint performance followed by dinner. Please let us know in advance if you would like to join.

The infrastructure includes a small dance space, a bar, a grotto, studio monitors, and spotlights. There is a small camping area, and accommodation at the nearby Hotel Adula is possible but must be organized independently.

We rely on solidarity support – all donations will be fairly divided among the participating artists.

KOMBINAT’23

The week-long creative happenings took place from July 9 to July 16, 2023 at >COMBINATION.SPACE< in the picturesque former Cima Norma chocolate factory in the Blenio Valley.