Alternative zur Flaschenpost-Kunst
Hans Wüthrich's Genossin Cäcilia as a case study of aesthetic practices in social interstices
The research project Alternative zur Flaschenpost-Kunst explores Hans Wüthrich's concept Genossin Cäcilia (1976) with artistic and scientific methods: This yet unpublished typescript outlines a music creative practice in collaboration with people on the margins of society – a «composing with another self» that reflects their world and gives them a voice.
Wüthrich implemented the concept in two works, Brigitte F. (1978) and Procuste deux étoiles (1981), but contrary to his original intentions, the response remained largely confined to the circle of new music and was mixed even there. No wonder, these pieces were actually motivated by Wüthrich's discomfort with the aesthetic practices and cultural institutions of new music, whose social impact he described as «Flaschenpost-Kunst» (message-in-a-bottle art). In response, Genossin Cäcilia wanted to offer an alternative, anticipating highly topical issues such as relational inclusion, political empowerment and social sustainability.
The current research project subjects this concept to critical re-vision: in addition to studies on the original sources and aesthetic framework, it examines in practical terms how Wütrich's methodology can or must be updated today in the intersection of community music, social work and artistic research.
An interdisciplinary research team will develop a multidirectional critical perspective on Wüthrich, but also, based on Wüthrich's criticism, on the social relevance of contemporary music creation and its institutions.
8. Oktober 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Kickoff Meeting with all interested participants
22. Oktober 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
28. Oktober 2025, 16.15-17.45 Uhr, Universität Basel, Medienwissenschaft, Holbeinstrasse 12, Bluebox
Seminar on Hans Wüthrich’s Genossin Cäcilia with Stas Shärifullà and Michel Roth
04. November 2025, 16.15-17.45 Uhr, Universität Basel, Medienwissenschaft, Holbeinstrasse 12, Bluebox
Seminar on Hans Wüthrich’s Genossin Cäcilia with Stas Shärifullà and Michel Roth
26. November 2025, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Meeting Student Resonance Group
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
21. Januar 2026, 17-18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Meeting Student Resonance Group
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
16. Februar 2026–29. Mai 2026, wöchentlich, montags, 10.15–11.45 Uhr, Philosophisches Seminar der Universität Basel, Steinengraben 5, Seminarraum gross 302 (3.OG)
Seminar Musikphilosophie: Partizipationskunst und Relationale Ästhetik
Dr. Christoph Haffter (Philosophie), Prof. Dr. Markus Klammer (Kunstgeschichte)
16. Februar 2026–29. Mai 2026, wöchentlich, dienstags, 14.15–15.45 Uhr, Musikwissenschaftliches Seminar der Universität Basel, Petersgraben 27, Vortragssaal
Seminar Musikwissenschaft: Die Politisierung der Avantgarde. (Schwerpunkt: Hans Wüthrich)
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt (Musikwissenschaft), Prof. Dr. Michel Roth (Komposition/Artistic Research)
18. Februar 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401, Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group, Guest: Prof. Dr. Anne Parpan-Blaser, Institute for Social Work FHNW (lecture and discussion)
25. März 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401, Meeting Student Resonance Group
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
16. April 2026, 19 Uhr, HSM Basel, MuST Studio Letzi // St. Alban Vorstadt 93/95, Basel
On experts of everyday life, collaboration, marginalisation and power, conflict and dissonance and the role of the artist.
workshop with Ulf Aminde, Moderation: Michel Roth
Further information: Lecture Series Society un Transformation
23. April 2026, 14.00–15.40 Uhr
Interdisciplinary Acts
Guest: Mirela Ivanova (University of Basel, Sociology)
23. April 2026, 19 Uhr, HSM Basel, MuST Studio Letzi // St. Alban Vorstadt 93/95, Basel
Open seminar on relational aesthetics, political art, the phantasm of community, criticism!
With Dr. Christoph Haffter with students from the University of Basel and HSM Basel
Further information: Lecture Series Society un Transformation
29. April 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
27. Mai 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
17. Juni 2026, 17–18.30 Uhr, HSM Basel, 6-401
Monthly Meeting Student Resonance Group
31. August–2. September 2026, FHNW Campus Muttenz
Community Musicking. Awareness and change through music practice
Michel Roth, Stefano GrassoPart of the Exploration Week on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the FHNW
Ongoing: Test Scenarios by Students of Sonic Space Basel and MuST (tba).
Further «Test Scenarios» in collaboration with Gare du Nord Basel, interdisciplinary student’s projects in the network of the FHNW (HSM, PH, HGK, HSA, APS).
Final evaluation of the findings, conclusions and project documentation.
In the Forschungsbereich Sounding Futures at HSM Basel, the project Alternative zur Flaschenpostkunst is embedded in long-term studies in the field of acoustic ecologies, social responsibility of art and creative innovation.
The focus is on:
- Source-critical analysis of Wüthrich's work and related documents.
- Practice-led «Test Scenarios» of the concept Genossin Cäcilia with students and external partners.
- Development of new aesthetic formats beyond established concert formats.
- Evaluation with regard to sustainable creative practices and teaching formats.
Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Michel Roth
Mitarbeit Quellenforschung: Dr. Michael Kunkel
Musikpädagogik: Prof. Dr. Anne Günster
Musikästhetik/Musikphilosophie: Dr. Christoph Haffter
Elektronisches Studio Basel: Cédric Spindler
Projektbegleitung Soziale Arbeit: Prof. Dr. Anne Parpan-Blaser (FHNW/Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit HSA)
Lehrveranstaltungen/«Test Scenarios»: Prof. Dr. Anne-May Krüger (MaR), Prof. Raphael Sbrzesny (MuST), Prof. Dr. Wiktoria Furrer (PH)
Hochschule für Musik Basel FHNW (HSM)
Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit FHNW (HSA)
Pädagogische Hochschule FHNW (PH)
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Musikwissenschaftliches Seminar der Universität Basel
Philosophisches Seminar der Universität Basel
Seminar für Medienwissenschaft der Universität Basel
Internationale Gäste aus Musik, Theater, Kultur, Philosophie und Soziale Arbeit
September 2025 – August 2027
Maja Sacher-Stiftung
Video Portrait of Hans Wüthrich, Swiss Music Prize 2016:
https://neo.mx3.ch/t/1h4O
Akademie der Künste Berlin:
https://www.adk.de/de/news/?we_objectID=55128
Mathias Spahlinger on Hans Wüthrich: https://www.dissonance.ch/upload/pdf/diss111.hb_48_57_ms_wuethrich.pdf
Thomas R. Rath, Kritik des freien Falls. Hans Wüthrichs neues Musiktheater:
https://library.positionen.berlin/secure/Pos35/Rath_35.pdf
Michel Roth's Dissertation featuring a chapter on Hans Wüthrich on pp. 217–223:
https://www.wolke-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Roth_Aufs_Spiel_gesetzt_Ebook_2024.pdf
Hans Wüthrich Playlist:
https://neo.mx3.ch/hanswuethrich