by A.I.M.Kowalewsky
The Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle (MBAL) is once again opening its doors to the public this spring, inviting visitors to explore a diverse range of exhibitions that celebrate both historical masterpieces and contemporary creations. From April 12th to September 14th, 2025, MBAL will host a series of exhibitions that highlight the intersection of traditional art history and modern artistic practices. The key exhibitions include “Attention Collection,” “Augusta Lardy Micheli: Metaxu,” “Jonathan Llense: Par le biais,” and the collaborative art project of the Cercle scolaire du Locle. Together, these exhibitions represent the museum’s commitment to preserving the past while fostering an ongoing dialogue between past and present.
Attention, Collection: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Museum’s Permanent Collection
The first major exhibition, Attention, Collection, is an exploration of the inner workings of the MBAL’s permanent collection. The museum has amassed over 5,000 works by both Swiss and international artists since its foundation in 1862. In this exhibition, the museum sheds light on the challenges of preserving and presenting its vast collection while also engaging with contemporary creation. The exhibition is organized around six thematic keywords inspired by an imaginary archiving software, presenting works in new and provocative ways. These keywords include “Helvetica,” “Evasion,” and “Nature morte/vivante,” inviting visitors to reconsider traditional classifications within art history.
By bringing together works by artists such as Charles Edouard Félix Clement, François Barraud, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, the exhibition explores the liminal space between classical art history and contemporary art. The inclusion of modern artists like Jeanne-Odette Evard and Mai-Thu Perret highlights the evolution of Swiss art from the 17th century to the present day.
A unique feature of Attention, Collection is the collaboration with three contemporary artists: Plonk et Replonk-Bébert, Ufuoma Essi, and Virginie Delannoy. Their interventions introduce fresh perspectives on the collection, challenging the viewer’s understanding of both the past and the present. Plonk et Replonk-Bébert, known for their irreverent humor, will offer a playful yet subversive commentary on representations of the female body. Meanwhile, Ufuoma Essi’s experimental video work, The Choirs of Nebbio, will introduce new narratives around colonial history, religion, and memory. Virginie Delannoy’s reinterpretation of a 1953 bronze sculpture by Ferdinand Hodler invites visitors to engage with traditional works through a contemporary lens, using tape as her medium to transform the classical into the modern.
Augusta Lardy Micheli: Metaxu (Les Rives Où Vivent Mes Songes)
One of the most exciting features of the spring exhibitions is the first institutional solo show of Swiss artist Augusta Lardy Micheli, titled Metaxu (Les Rives Où Vivent Mes Songes). Lardy Micheli’s ethereal paintings draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the Neuchâtel region, particularly the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. These landscapes, imbued with the artist’s personal memories and dreams, serve as an intermediary between the physical world and the inner realm of thoughts and emotions.
The title Metaxu, which means “between” in Greek, reflects the artist’s exploration of the boundary between reality and the dreamlike states evoked by nature. Lardy Micheli’s use of monumental and intimate formats allows her to convey both the vastness of the natural landscape and the fleeting, transient nature of her dreams. Her work invites the viewer into a world where the lines between perception and imagination blur, offering a meditative and deeply personal experience. Through her paintings, Lardy Micheli tackles themes of longing, beauty, and unease, creating a space where the viewer can reflect on their own connections to the natural world.
Augusta Lardy Micheli, born in 1994, is a rising star in the Swiss art scene. With a background in both philosophy and fine arts, she approaches painting as a living process that allows her to explore the relationship between materiality, memory, and transformation. Her experimental approach to painting challenges the boundaries of the medium, allowing for radical shifts in technique that reflect the fluid nature of her creative vision. This exhibition marks a significant milestone in her career, and visitors will have the opportunity to experience her innovative approach to painting in a new and exciting context.
Jonathan Llense: Par le Biais
Another highlight of the spring program is the exhibition Par le biais by the French photographer and visual artist Jonathan Llense. Known for his sculptural approach to photography, Llense combines everyday objects to create whimsical, often humorous, compositions that challenge the viewer’s perception of reality. His works, which evoke the playful spirit of Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, offer a lighthearted critique of the conventions of art and photography.
For this exhibition, Llense has created an original portrait of the town of Le Locle, drawing on his photographic archives and blending them with local history. Using the museum’s collection as a starting point, Llense incorporates local busts and sculptures, alongside the theme of water, to create a surprising and thought-provoking narrative. Through his lens, Llense invites visitors to explore the city’s fountains, busts, and historical artifacts in a new and unexpected way, all while incorporating his signature blend of absurdity and playfulness.
Llense’s work is marked by a sense of irony and wit, which is evident in his photographs of precariously balanced objects and carefully composed scenes. He challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and to reconsider the everyday objects that surround us. Through his photographic practice, Llense creates a universe that is at once familiar and strange, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Cercle Scolaire du Locle: Bien Vivre Ensemble
The MBAL is also celebrating local creativity through its collaboration with the students of the Cercle scolaire du Locle. This initiative, titled Bien vivre ensemble (Living Together in Harmony), gives young artists the opportunity to engage with the museum’s collection and produce their own creative works. The theme of the exhibition revolves around shared values such as respect, perseverance, and empathy, with the students expressing these values through various mediums, including drawings, posters, and audio pieces.
The exhibition is a testament to the power of art in fostering a sense of community and collective expression. By allowing young people to showcase their work alongside that of established artists, MBAL demonstrates its commitment to nurturing creativity in all its forms. The exhibition is a celebration of the future of art in Le Locle and beyond, and visitors will be able to see how the next generation of artists is using their creativity to envision a more harmonious world.
For those interested in exploring the exhibitions in person, MBAL is located in the heart of Le Locle, housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, with free entry on the first Sunday of every month. With its innovative programming and dedication to fostering dialogue between artists and the public, the Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle continues to be a vital cultural institution in Switzerland, offering new perspectives on the world of art for visitors of all ages.
