Swizz Art Biz x Löwenbräu: Martina Huber

AIA stands for awareness in art and We Are AIA is the name of a new nonprofit association founded by Martina Huber last year with its own space at Löwenbräukunst in Zurich. 

The current show, The Mouth Is for Speaking, deals with the topic of human rights and ponders the question: What is needed to be able to speak or stand up? It includes pieces by Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, which remembers Jamal Khashoggi—the journalist killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018—and Luke Willis Thompson, which was produced with the Black Lives Matter movement in mind.

“Art can help us face today’s issues,” says Huber. “It helps the viewer to open up emotionally to socio-political and ecological challenges we are facing.”

Huber and the association’s approach appear to have resonated if the packed openings are any indication. “It’s important for me to create shows that are not just for the 1 percent,” she says.

Martina Huber is the first guest of the special series of Swizz Art Biz x Löwenbräukunst, where Tanya König, the founder of Swizz Art Biz, will speak with artists and insiders connected to the contemporary art center Löwenbräukunst in Zurich.