Scapa Memories. A Collection

4 February – 19 April 2009


Born in 1931 in Holland, the draughtsman, cartoonist, publisher and art communicator Ted Scapa was a regular contributor to the international daily press and published numerous children’s books and cartoon collections. For more than thirty years he directed the publishing firm of Benteli in Berne where he developed in particular the sections art books and exhibition catalogues. During the 1960s and ‘70s his became a household name thanks to the children’s programme «Das Spielhaus» (Playhouse) on German-Swiss television.
Today, Scapa lives and works as a freelance artist and holds creativity workshops.

But, Ted Scapa is equally a passionate collector, guided by his intuitive sense for creativity. Thus, one can find in his collection, next to works by his friend Jean Tinguely, especially large-scale graphic works by renowned artists of the 20th century, from Antoni Tàpies to Jörg Immendorff, iron sculptures by Bernar Venet, Jean Tinguely and others, that all enter into a lively dialogue with artefacts of non-European provenance – amongst them sculptures from Africa, China and Oceania.

A hotchpotch, albeit an inspired one, of artworks and various objects that reflects the unbridled creativity of Scapa the man, but also of the artist known for his production of lamps and carpets.
The Museum Tinguely is hosting a showing of Ted Scapa’s collection: a miscellaneous ensemble of works of art, arts and crafts, and curios.

Scapa’s special relationship with art is further documented in a film by Roy Oppenheim that will be shown in the exhibition.

Publication/DVD
Scapa Memories. Eine Sammlung, Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg. Foreword by Guido Magnaguagno and texts by Ted Scapa and Roy Oppenheim (c. 96 pages, c. 70 ill.)
Scapa Memories, DVD, Roy Oppenheim (c. 25 Min.)
Jean Tinguely – im Spielhaus, extracts of the three programmes „Das Spielhaus“ (SF DRS) with Ted Scapa and Jean Tinguely, DVD (c. 45 Min.)

Special programme (only in German)
Sunday, March 8, 2009, 2 p.m.: Scapa erzählt und zeichnet aus seinem Leben
With film projection. No reservation required.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 2 p.m.: Spass mit Scapa.
Workshop for children, 8 years old and above. Reservation +41 (0)61 681 93 20

Sunday, April 5, 2009, 2 p.m.: Scapa erzählt und zeichnet aus seinem Leben
With film projection. No reservation required.