Oct 21, 2025
The image features a close-up view of a building's brick facade in black and white. The structure exhibits a series of angular protrusions and shadows, creating a striking geometric pattern that emphasizes the texture of the bricks and the interplay of light and dark. The sky in the background is clear and contrasts with the architectural elements.
Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland architecture by Barozzi Veiga. Photo by Paul Clemence

The Paul Rudolph Institute is proud to present PAUL CLEMENCE: SHAPES, RHYTHM, ABSTRACTION / Swiss Museums, which opened September 26, 2025 and will be on view until November 1, 2025. The exhibition is curated by Eshaan Mehta, a 4th-year Pratt SoA student in the B.Arch program. He has been on the board of the Paul Rudolph Institute since 2024. At Pratt, Eshaan is the co-President of Pratt Futures. Previously, he has been involved with Landmark Columbus Foundation and Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Indiana. 

This exhibition of approximately 30 photographs of museums from around Switzerland, printed on brushed aluminum, will occupy two floors of the landmarked Modulightor Building, named for the lighting company Paul Rudolph created with Ernst Wagner in 1976.

Known for his ability to express the intangible side of Architecture through his abstract eyes, photographer Paul Clemence takes us on a poetic journey through Swiss museums in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Zurich, Chur, Bern, and St. Gallen. With a focus on textures, patterns, shapes, and light, the exhibit features a diverse mix of projects by architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Mario Botta, Christ & Gantenbein, Barozzi Veiga, Buchner Bründler, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Aires Mateus, Shigeru Ban, and others.

A tall, angular concrete structure rises against a dark sky. The design features sharp edges and geometric shapes, with a prominent overhang creating a shadowed area. The surface is textured and has a monochromatic appearance, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow on the concrete.
Kunsthaus Baselland in Basel, Switzerland by Buchner Bründler Architekten. Photo by Paul Clemence
Detail shot of a gray concrete building against a blue sky background with a tree on the left.
Still from short film TWO PIANOS featuring Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland by Renzo Piano Building Workshop

“Shapes, Rhythm, Abstraction offers a fresh perspective on museums, presenting them as vibrant, evolving works of art. Rather than viewing them as containers for art, this show invites us to see the buildings themselves as creations in motion. This exhibition invites viewers to step into the intersection where art, place, and presence converge, reminding us that architecture is never static” – Eshaan Mehta

 “This exhibit has a full circle feeling for me, since I have been photographing Swiss museums for the last 10 years, crisscrossing the country, capturing these amazing structures. It has been a very inspiring journey, and I want this essay to show the variety of architectural approaches and concepts I found.” – Paul Clemence

The exhibit originated as part of Le Salon Suisse, an event hosted by Switzerland Tourism in 2023 during Miami Art Week. This new edition, curated by Eshaan Mehta, will feature new, never-before-seen images, plus a selection from a previous exhibit held at the Consulate General of Switzerland New York, and the short film “TWO PIANOS”.  The film, a collaboration with filmmaker Axel Stasny, is an atmospheric take on two museum projects by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

This exhibition is presented with the generous support of Switzerland Tourism.

Exhibition details for SHAPES, RHYTHM, ABSTRACTION: Swiss Museums
Dates: September 26, 2025 – November 01, 2025
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 1-4 PM; and by appointment other days/times.

Location: The Paul Rudolph Institute For Modern Architecture, The Modulightor Building, 246 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022. The exhibition space is elevator accessible.

A modern building façade featuring a series of vertical columns and slits, creating a rhythmic pattern with varying light and shadow. The structure is primarily in shades of gray, and the foreground has a smooth paved surface leading to a simple staircase with a black handrail. In the background, a smaller traditional building with windows can be spotted, contrasting the sleekness of the modern architecture.
Kunsthaus Zurich addition by David Chipperfield. Photo by Paul Clemence