photo: Mai 36
Henri Gisler, Director of Zürich’s Mai 36 Galerie guides us around a day’s worth of his favourite places in the gallery’s neighborhood in Zürich.
Mai 36 Galerie was founded in 1987 by Victor Gisler in Lucerne and moved to its current location, a three-story townhouse in the center of Zürich, in 1996.
For more than thirty years, the gallery has been working with artists including John Baldessari, Luigi Ghirri, Peter Hujar, General Idea, Robert Mapplethorpe, Matt Mullican, Rita McBride, Thomas Ruff, Paul Thek, and Lawrence Weiner. In recent years, the roster has expanded to include a younger generation of artists such as Poppy Jones, Maia Ruth Lee, Jacopo Benassi, and Magali Reus.
Swimming: Seebad Utoquai
Utoquai 50, 8008 Zürich
Perfect for a lake swim in the morning, with a deck to get some breakfast!
Coffee to go: MOPS Café
Heimplatz 6, Zürich 8001
Right next to the Kunsthaus, MOPS Café is a new favourite, one minute from the gallery.
Visit Mai 36
Raemistrasse 37, Zürich 8001
We are situated in an old Zürich townhouse across three floors. On the ground floor, discover new work by Michel Pérez Pollo. On the second floor, an exhibition with Irma Blank. And in between, on the middle floor, rare works by General Idea alongside furniture by the Brazilian architect Jorge Zalszupin.
Lunch: Bimi
Seefeldstrasse 5, 8008 Zürich
Japanese. The lunch bento box is excellent value.
Gelato: Gelati Seefeld
Seefeldstrasse 92, 8008 Zürich
Try the pecan and black sesame.
Stores: Shui Tang
Spiegelgasse 26, 8001 Zürich
For both tea and ceramic lovers.
Stores: Neumarkt 17
Neumarkt 17, 8001 Zürich
Probably the most unique store design. Make sure to go all the way to the back.
Stores: VMC
Rindermarkt 8, 8001 Zürich
The best denim and leather jackets, and staff who know everything about what they stock.
Architecture: Pavillon Le Corbusier
Höschgasse 8, 8008 Zürich
Le Corbusier’s last building, completed in 1967 - the only one built entirely in steel and glass.
Architecture: UB Recht Library (University Law Library)
Rämistrasse 74, 8001 Zürich
The exterior gives nothing away. The inside is one of Calatrava’s finest projects. Just walk in, you are free to enter.
Dinner: Kreis 6
Scheuchzerstrasse 65, 8006 Zürich
A neighbourhood gem in the 6th district, with a romantic terrace.
Dinner: Brasserie Seefeld
Horneggstrasse 15, Ecke Seefeldstrasse, 8008 Zürich
Great brasserie in Seefeld with Piemontese cuisine.
Bar: Kronenhalle Bar
Rämistrasse 4, 8001 Zürich
A Zürich institution, enjoy drinks next to Matisse and Picasso.
Hotel: Signau House
Signaustrasse 6, 8008 Zürich
A former private residence in Seefeld, with a beautiful garden.
In The Neighbourhood is a regular feature on GalleriesNow where we chat with art world people about their city and get their recommendations for locals and visitors alike.
