Prize for Julian Sartorius

As the foundation announced on April 4, the 2016-2018 prize of the Erna and Curt Burgauer Foundation goes to percussionist and sound researcher Julian Sartorius. The prize, worth 30,000 Swiss francs, will go towards research into new forms of percussion. Following the prizewinners Peter Regli, Ian Anüll, Gianni Motti and Sabian Baumann, this is the first time that the Zurich-based foundation's fifth sponsorship award has gone to a musician.

Julian Sartorius was born in Thun in 1981 and lives in Bern. He has been researching sounds and preparing his drum set with collector's items from all over the world for years. In collaboration with drum makers, locksmiths and craftsmen, he uses various systems to change the pitch of the drums, for example, or uses new materials to try out new ways of altering the sound.

The Erna and Curt Burgauer Foundation Prize is awarded over three years and is linked to the realization of a work in the third year. The prize is awarded periodically and in addition to the annual grants awarded to visual artists and musicians. The Foundation Board decides on the award. Its members are Cathérine Hug, Sascha Renner, Lukas Heuss and Peter Uhlmann. It is not possible to apply for the prize.