Basel x Hong Kong
Imagine if Basel and Hong Kong were two people meeting for the first time.
What would they talk about?
Where would they find points of intersection?
How do they get to know each other better?
what is PF25 cultural projects?
PF25 cultural projects is a Basel-based non-profit organisation which aims to build mutual understanding, to develop an intercultural network and to generate creative energies between Basel and Hong Kong. Our cultural exchange and research approach is on-the-ground and about daily life, observed and engaged through a wide range of activities.
We bring people together in workshops, talks, screenings, exhibitions, field trips, interviews, pop-ups, publications and more. This allows PF25 to foster dialogues and deepen understanding between the two city-regions, welcoming diverse stories and wide perspectives across generations. We strive to discover connections through reflections, to expand our spectrum of imagination and to explore possibilities of living for the future.
PF25 cultural projects receives funding from Christoph Merian Stiftung. We have the pleasure to be the partner of Atelier Mondial in our exhibition and residency programmes.
We hope our projects will enable us to contribute a small part to the city development and archives of the two cities.
our board members
Angelika Li
Co-founder & President
Angelika is committed to engaging with the essence of local culture, heritage and valued stories, and driving a continuous dialogue between local and international communities. She is the founder and curator of the exhibition series 'Homeland in Transit' (Basel 2019-2022, Berlin 2020-2021, Murrhardt 2021 & Zollikon 2022) channelling narratives and imaginations of ‘homeland’ from Hong Kong perspectives: borders, boundaries, roots, diaspora, cultural identity, colonial ideologies and interweaving them with experiences and voices from other parts of the world. Angelika was engaged as an expert for Asia Society Switzerland’s ‘Generation Asia’ programme in 2021. Her other curatorial projects include 'Dorothee Sauter: Geology, Cooking Hearts and other stories' (Basel, 2021), 'Hong Kong Video Talks', Atelier Mondial (Basel/Münchenstein, 2022); the public programme for ‘Brice Marden: Inner Space’ (Kunstmuseum Basel, 2022) and the performance Difference/Indifference by artist Isaac Chong Wai (Basler Münster, commissioned by Kunsttage Basel 2022).
Before moving to Switzerland in 2017, Angelika was the founding director of MILL6 Foundation bringing it to ICOM museum status and the Award for Arts Promotion by Hong Kong Arts Development Council in 2016. Her previous exhibitions and projects include ‘Tracing some places. Leung Chi Wo’ (Hong Kong, 2015); ’Textile Thinking – The International Symposium’ at Hangzhou Triennial of Fiber Art 2016 co-organised with Zhejiang Art Museum; and ‘Social Fabric. New works by Kwan Cheung Chi and Mariana Hahn’ in collaboration with David Elliott (Hong Kong, 2016).
Ursula Hürzeler
Vice-President
Ursula co-founded Rahbaran Hürzeler Architects in 2011 in Basel. She has
worked at diverse offices in Switzerland and Spain gaining extensive experience in the field of design, project management and execution. Ursula worked at Herzog & de Meuron from 2006 to 2011where she was involved in the project management of various largescale projects.
Ursula was born in Solothurn, Switzerland and received her architecture degree from ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. She has taught and researched at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts FHNW in Basel from 2011 to 2014 and at Lucerne University HSLU in 2018. Since 2019, she has been appointed Professor at the Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW in Basel.
Ursula is currently a member of the Urban Planning Commission of the Canton Basel-Land, selected member of the Federation of Swiss Architects FSA and consultant and coordinator for the architecture mediation programme of the Kunstmuseum Basel.
Donald Mak
Co-founder, Secretary & Treasurer
Donald Mak works in the strategy, design, communication and realisation of architecture and art projects, with a focus on exhibitions, publications, platforms and spaces.
He is currently an Associate at Herzog & de Meuron (HdM), starting his collaboration on architecture projects in 2003 with the National Stadium in Beijing, with contributions to 56 Leonard in New York, the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar, France, and M+ museum in Hong Kong. He is also deeply involved in the many communication objectives developed at HdM, with a focus on leading the conception and production of specific exhibitions, publications and special projects extending from architecture including HdM Complete Works Volumes 5 and 6, Treacherous Transparencies, Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2012, Park Avenue Armory and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, as well as exhibition installations at the 2012 Architecture Biennale in Venice and the upcoming exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts, London in 2021.
Donald graduated in 2000 from the University of Toronto. He has previously collaborated with Bruce Mau Design, working with various cultural institutions, galleries, museums and artists. He has also worked independently on a range of publications and exhibitions. In 2007, “Altas of Novel Tectonics” Princeton Architectural Press, New York designed by Donald in collaboration with Reto Gieser won the world’s highest award for book design, the ‘Golden Letter’ from the Stiftung Buchkunst at the Leipzig Book Fair. He collaborates with Angelika Li on the curatorial project Homeland in Transit.
PF25 site histories
PF25 is located in Spalenhof at Spalenberg 12 and Pfeffergässlein 25, which is a site of significant cultural, historical and architectural importance at the heart of the old town of Basel.
With its partial Romanesque foundation laid in the 13th century, Spalenhof tells many valued Basel stories: from the earthquake in 1356 to the chivalric legend Knight Heinrich von Ramstein who resided here in 1437. Another owner of the house was Bürgermeister (mayor) of Basel Kaspar Krug who met with Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Empire in 1563. It then turned into a merchant’s house owned by businessman Isaak Dreyfuss in 1835, one of the first Jews to settle in Basel.
The painting of Justitia in the late Renaissance style commissioned by Krug in the 16th century resurfaced on the courtyard facade during a conversion of the building in 1964.The building was sold to the City of Basel in 1956. Theater Fauteuil opened in 1957, Tabourettli in 1971 and the 16th century embellishments under gypsum walls and plaster ceilings by Krug were unearthed in the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Room) in 1979. (Does it relate to the meeting between Krug and Ferdinand I?)
In 1986, Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava worked on the overall renovation of the house including the structural conservation and custom furniture. It was one of earliest architectural commissions in his career. The theatre reopened its door in 1989 and has become as a leading performing arts venue in Switzerland.
These form part of the historic and architectural features of the PF25 site. A research on the history of the building is in progress. Please reach out to our team if you have information or leads to any history, story, conservation work back from the 1960's.
