“Surroundings” features 13 works by German visual artist Claudia Wieser, specially created for presentation at the SNFCC Esplanade

From April 3 to November 16, 2025, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), as part of its broader programming on art in public space, will host an exhibition of works by German visual artist Claudia Wieser, curated by Katerina Stathopoulou.

Titled Surroundings, the exhibition—free and open to the public—features 13 works created specifically for display at the SNFCC Esplanade.

“Berlin-based artist Claudia Wieser, through the imposing geometry of her work, raises questions about the fundamental principles of art and design. With her sculptural installations, she creates immersive environments—spaces for interaction and exploration. Her geometric sculptures draw inspiration from modernism and investigate the intersection of art and functional objects—where aesthetics meet utility, and art once again finds its place in the public realm.

At the heart of Surroundings lies an outdoor stage, meticulously designed and clad in over 1,800 ceramic tiles, each hand-painted by the artist in her Berlin studio. Trained in painting, Wieser leaves the visible marks of her brushstrokes on every tile, brought to life in vibrant, luminous colors. This large-scale sculptural piece serves both as a stage for performances and as a public gathering space, inviting visitors to slow down and consciously observe their surroundings. It’s an open invitation to remain actively present in the moment. The geometric structure—featuring a built-in seating element—encourages rest and dialogue, drawing inspiration from the rich history of art and design: from the democratic spaces of Roman agoras and ancient Greek theaters to the principles of Bauhaus architecture.

Six vertical metal structures, placed at various points along the Esplanade, form an atmospheric, star-like constellation amidst the greenery. Each of these sculptural pieces features large surfaces that tell distinct stories through vivid colors and fragmented imagery: photographs of bodies taken by Wieser herself, reproductions of ancient sculptures, landscapes, painted surfaces, and geometric forms, all combined with hand-painted ceramic tiles. These diverse elements are intricately woven together into twelve original assemblage works that aim to capture the pulse and dynamism of human existence.”
(from the curator’s note)

Throughout the duration of the exhibition, the Esplanade will be further activated through a series of parallel events, including educational programs, performances, and live music, offering additional opportunities for public engagement and interaction.

Photo Credit: Michael Schultze

Claudia Wieser – Biography

Born in 1973 in Freilassing, Germany, and based in Berlin, Claudia Wieser creates works that explore the history of modernism and the fundamental principles of art and design. Influenced by Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, and Paul Klee—artists who infused spirituality into the aesthetic process—Wieser turns her gaze toward the pursuit of this ideal, navigating the coexistence of abstraction and inner expression. Her work explores the connection between life and beauty through a wide variety of materials: geometric sculptures clad in tiles, mirrors, tapestries, and drawings that bridge the gap between aesthetic vision and practical function.

Wieser received her initial technical training as a blacksmith at Bergmeister Kunstschmiede, where she became familiar with materials such as copper, gold leaf, and clay. This craftsmanship informs her approach to geometric composition and the construction of her technically multifaceted artworks. She is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, with postgraduate studies in painting and sculpture.