Arts, Music & Theatre

Like an array of colours on a painter’s palette: arts at the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz offer more than traditional drawing and painting. Installation, sculpture, costume design, photography & video and much more make up the full palette of offerings. Music and theatre provide creative space to perform and express oneself artistically, both as an individual and in an ensemble. Whether in a choir, orchestra or school band, performing with friends is fun and brings an important balance to everyday school life. In addition to being disciplined, it requires the courage to open up, a significant experience in the process of maturing into adulthood.

Art Lessons

At the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, art lessons are an integral part of high school education. In both the Matura Department (Artistic Design) and the DIS Department (Visual Arts & Design), students can express themselves creatively. There are various techniques and projects on offer.

Artistic design in the Matura programme

Observe, construct, move, explore, experiment, question, design, scrap, don’t give up! Lines, shapes and colours allow images, objects and space to unfold. All of this starts in the mind. Through a plethora of techniques and materials, we learn to broaden our horizons and express ourselves in our own language. Students work on individual projects with the help of teacher guidance but also by studying pieces from different eras and contemporary art.

From traditional methods to new media, from painting, design, to architecture – anything goes, as long as it belongs to your own form of expression.

Those who would like to deepen and broaden their creative basics can choose Visual Arts in the 5th and 6th grade as a major (six weekly lessons).

Department Head: Madlaina Fontana

Visual Arts in the IB Diploma Programme

The IB Visual Arts Programme is experimental and designed to inspire creativity. It consists of two parts: an extensive practical component and the artistic exhibition of all works. Through an independent exploration of art, students broaden their understanding of different artists and styles. In this way, they develop and define their own emotional style. These young artists have complete creative freedom; their works can range from sculpture to abstract art.

Department Head: Lisa Measures

Content

Art lessons include the learning and application of various techniques as well as theoretical knowledge about different artists, epochs and materials. Critical treatment of modern modes of expression or a proactive examination of the Visual Arts, including contemporary art, is also seen as an essential task of Visual Arts education.

Practice

All students receive a sound education in the traditional genres of graphic art, painting and sculpting. Depending on the course topic or the young artists’ own ideas, other genres and techniques are incorporated and developed. The acquisition of necessary skills in dealing with digital media is part of what we offer, as well. This includes photography, image editing, video or CAD. Application-related topics are practised, for example, linocut, exploded views, perspective drawing, collage & decollage as well as free painting on large-format canvases.

Theory

Not to be neglected is a comprehensive overview of art history and theory. Contemporary art, history of architecture and design are included.

Creativity techniques and idea-finding are essential in the subject of art. Students often hit invisible walls at the beginning of the brainstorming process and during the development process. These must be broken through. One day, they will benefit from having experienced such breakthroughs first-hand.

Equipment and Materials

In 2017 the new boarding school house for senior girls, Chesa Urezza”, opened. The lower floors are the new art rooms, which are architecturally state-of-the-art. The newly built complex offers inspiring, bright rooms with large glass fronts and an unobstructed view on the Swiss Alps and its seasonal changes throughout the year. Using natural materials from the Engadine and purist interior design, the building is much more reminiscent of a modern museum or a spacious loft than a high school.

The art rooms offer excellent technical equipment, high-quality materials and a scenic backdrop. They contain an opulent wall that is ideal for large-format work. Similar to a loft-like studio, students can paint alone or with the support of the art teachers as well as implement their own ideas creatively.

Paint, brushes, soapstones, clay, canvases – everything here is first-class and is available to the students.

Educational Impact

Similarly to music lessons, art lessons should encourage emotional and creative energy. The development of essential craftsmanship and skills is the prerequisite for creative activity, whether it be dealing with the imagination, the joy of experimenting, expressing passion or observing nature. If later, a student wishes to attend an art academy or college, the Visual Arts programme will have helped get them ready.

More autonomy

The subject of art is not just about absorbing knowledge, but rather aims to transform the acquired knowledge into personal use. There is no right or wrong in a strict sense. The students must find a personal approach to creating their own style. In doing so, they learn creative thinking” while they are in high school, which will also be an advantage in their future, whether they pursue the study of art or not. Creative thinking is an essential qualification for various professions. For example, the new term Design Thinking” deals with developing new approaches to solving complex problems. Here too, creativity is the key to success.

Visual Arts at Lyceum Alpinum offers students the opportunity to form their own identity and develop their personality, especially by working independently on their own artistic projects.

Encouraging talent

There are plenty of boarding schools which teach art. Yet, we are particularly proud of our intimate approach to promoting talent. Small class sizes make it possible for each student to receive targeted support and to find the right technique for the right idea.

In short: Visual Arts at Lyceum Apinum gives students more self-confidence and expressive power.

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Exhibition

While some like to relax on the sofa after work and watch sports, we offer exciting exhibitions for art lovers. Time and time again, we enable our creative young artists to exhibit their work. It is the ideal opportunity for them to come into contact with others and to exchange ideas. Some of the students’ works are displayed for a certain period throughout the campus, as well.

Dates

The next exhibition takes place on
Date: 31 March 2023
Time: 16:00 – 18:30
Location: Chesa Urezza

We would be delighted to see you there!