Philipp Gasser

Philipp Gasser

*1958 in Chur, lives and works in Basel

Philipp Gasser’s current artistic practice is characterized by works that are almost entirely created without the use of camera optics, yet they exhibit a strikingly photographic and realistic quality. Utilizing a wide array of digital tools, Gasser meticulously creates images and videos portraying scenes such as landscapes, courtyards, natural phenomena like clouds, and people within their surroundings. His work explores and intentionally obscures the boundaries between reality and fiction. Instead of aiming to depict objective reality, Gasser seeks to challenge and influence the viewer’s perception, evoking reflections on how his moving images resonate with their audience, the memories they trigger, and the emotions they elicit.

Philipp Gasser is a media artist. Between 1989 and 1992, he studied audiovisual design with a focus on experimental video at the Basel School of Design. From 1995 to 2023, he lectured on digital media at the Institute of Art (HGK FHNW) in Basel. His artistic portfolio encompasses various aspects of video art, including pioneering applications of virtual reality and augmented reality techniques. In addition to his personal artistic practice, Gasser collaborates with numerous artists and institutions, producing commissioned works. His creations are represented in significant public and pri- vate collections. Among his contributions to the Haus der Elektronischen Künste (HEK) are notable works such as Der, der kommt, ist nicht der, den du erwartet hast (1999), Der moderne Mensch (2000), and Clouds of the Second Kind (2016). In 2016, the artist monograph Wie grüss’ ich einen Alien, edited by Markus Stegmann, was published by Verlag für moderne Kunst, providing an in-depth exploration of Gasser’s creative journey.

“Though Philipp Gasser predominantly employs video as his chosen medium, his artistic sensibilities are deep- ly rooted in illustration. Beginning his career as an illustrator for various print media, he quickly transcended the conventional boundaries of the field, transforming his exceptional technical skills into profound artistic inquiries. This evolution—seamless and inherently logical in retrospect—imbues his works with a unique independence, free from the constraints of graphic conventions. With subtlety and nuance, Gasser engages with societal issues, offering un- expected perspectives and fresh viewpoints. His interventions are marked by a refined complexity, eschewing overt dramatics while maintaining a thought-provoking depth.” (Markus Stegmann)