Eric Hattan is known for his canny interventions in public places and causing surprise by thwarting the familiar order. This is also the case at the Museum Langmatt, which invited the Swiss artist to playfully intervene on its premises. The historic villa with its mahogany parquet flooring, fine carpets, chandeliers, and manicured garden provides a contrasting foil for Hattan’s installations, composed of worn clothing, metal parts, and other less exquisite materials. Five o’clock Shadow documents the ensuing dialogue that spans from the rich contrast between the present and the Belle Epoque, and shows how the venerable building is being tangibly enlivened.

ERIC HATTAN (*1955, Wettingen, Switzerland), who lives in Basel and Paris, is one of Switzerland's most inventive conceptual artists. His artistic language shows itself chameleon-like in diverse media and has received international attention for many years.