Co-direction, Espace Libre
(2021-2023)
Curatorial collaboration
From 2021 to 2023, Dillon co-directed independant art space, Espace libre, with Vera Trachsel, where they produced over thirty projects in the form of exhibitions, festivals, and residencies. Their program was shaped by the seasons and guided by principles of artistic exchange, autonomy, and conviviality. Their collaboration continues with the publication project HARVEST, an experimental catalogue of Espace libre’s program and a practical guide for independent curators. Co-produced with Edition Haus am Gern and Superbüro, and supported by the Werk-Buch grant from the Canton of Bern, HARVEST will be published in December 2025.
ABOUT ESPACE LIBRE
Espace libre is an independent art space run by Visarte Biel/Bienne,
the local branch of the professional association of visual artists in
Switzerland. It is housed within the Centre Pasquart, a cultural hub that also includes the KBCB Centre d’art Bienne– Kunsthaus Biel, the Film-podium, the Photoforum Pasquart, and the Kunstverein Biel/Bienne.
Located in a former basement space at the back of the KBCB, Espace libre has since its founding in 2000 been shaped by artists seeking to experiment with curatorial formats. Curators are elected by the Visarte committee for three-year programme cycles. As a platform for Swiss and international artists, Espace libre presents
emerging and experimental forms of contemporary art. Each programme reflects the artistic vision of the curators in charge, and over the years the space has taken on many different forms. What has remained constant are its core principles: supporting experimental and unconventional processes; embracing the unexpected; developing autonomous, community-focused approaches to exhibition-making; and fostering connections across Switzerland’s diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.
The current curators (2024–2026) are Laurine Landry and Janosch Perler. Past curators include Beth Dillon & Vera Trachsel, Andrea Marioni, Barbara Meyer Cesta, Valérie Hashimoto & Manon Engel, and Monsignore Dies.
https://www.espacelibre2123.com/
