KUNSTSURFER was founded in 2021 by a collective composed of Chiara Giardi, Evita Verbrugge, Heiko Schmid, Itay Blaish and Ugo Pecoraio, five curators who are mostly based in Switzerland. In June 2022 Itay Blaish left the collective. The add-on was programmed and is technically supported by the artist Michael Aschauer.
KUNSTSURFER was funded by Pro Helvetia (Emerging artists: annual programme art space), Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich, the city of Zurich (Creative Tech for Good), ZHdK Fonds/Mercator Foundation and the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture.
The current curatorial collective consists of:
Chiara Giardi is an independent curator, educator and project manager based in Jakarta (ID). She is interested in research-based, transdisciplinary, and collaborative practices between Europe and Southeast Asia. She holds an MA in Art Education, Curatorial Studies (Zurich University of the Arts, CH) and she worked with/at institutions like Videocity (CH), Baan Noorg (TH), and documenta fifteen (DE).
Evita Verbrugge is a cultural mediator, curator, DJ and event organiser based in Lucern (CH). She completed her BA in International Arts and Culture Studies in Rotterdam and Istanbul and her MA in Art Education, Curatorial Studies at Zurich University of the Arts (CH). She is currently working as art mediator at Kunstmuseum Luzern.
Dr. Heiko Schmid is an art historian, curator, and author based in Zurich (CH). Heiko Schmid is chairperson of the art in public space commission (Kiör) of the city of Zurich.
Ugo Pecoraio is an independent curator based in Basel (CH). He is specialised in web3 & decentralized projects, the strategic planning and conception of digital exhibition formats, as well as the development of innovative positioning strategies for artists and designers. Ugo Pecoraio is currently employed at HEK (House of Electronic Arts) as head of communications.
KUNSTSURFER is supportet by Pro Helvetia and Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich