As part of a major exhibition devoted to the legendary couple Hans/Jean Arp (1886-1966) and Sophie Taeuber-Arp (1889-1943) – central figures in the development of abstract art in the 20th century – due to open at Bozar in 2024, Bozar and Iota Production are offering a never-before-seen podcast documentary series in six episodes, devoted to the history of this couple and in particular to the formidable artist Sophie Taeuber-Arp. Written and directed by Safia Kessas. 

EPISODE 1 - Sophie Taeuber-Arp, the silent angel reveals herself almost 80 years after her death  

When and how did the legend of Sophie Taeuber-Arp begin? And why? This is the story of the tragic end of her life. An artist almost sacrificed; we begin her story with her tragic end. Also in this episode: unpublished letters that enable us to discover the artist in a new light. Her genius, her creations, her personality and her incredible artistic versatility are at the heart of the story, as we explore her relationship with Arp.  

EPISODE 2 - DADADA: Hans/Jean meets Sophie  

The second episode focuses on the meeting between Sophie Taeuber and Hans/Jean Arp, which took place in Zurich in 1915. This period in the early 20th century shows just how independent and visionary she was. Teacher, dancer, sculptor, artist, resolutely emancipated, the coming decade promises to be artistically overflowing. 

EPISODE 3 - The Aubette, the Sistine Chapel of abstract art  

We almost forgot that Sophie Taeuber-Arp was behind the creation of the so-called "Sistine Chapel of modern art", the Aubette in Strasbourg. However, she was at the heart of this monumental project, which was completed in 1928. The Aubette site enabled Sophie Taeuber-Arp to embark on her first architectural project: a house-studio for herself and her husband on the edge of the Meudon forest.

EPISODE 4 - The influence of the workshop house    

Episode 4 focuses on the workshop house in Clamart, where ideas travel from one studio to another, but also evokes Sophie Taeuber-Arp's struggle to not be swamped by the domestic chores that weighed down on her. An emancipated woman, she nevertheless remained at her husband's service. 

EPISODE  5 - From networks to exodus  

Sophie Taeuber-Arp manages to outsmart stereotypes but not without difficulty. Recognised in Switzerland, recognition in Paris was more difficult for her and for other abstract artists. Thanks to an archive by Michel Seuphor, we understand that the Surrealists were struggling to carve out a place for themselves in the art world. In addition, Taeuber-Arp also struggled to emerge from her husband's shadow and establish herself as an abstract artist in a closed and conservative society. 

EPISODE 6 - Epilogue  

Throughout this auditory journey, we were able to discover Sophie Taeuber-Arp as a modern woman, very determined in the way she wanted to carry out her artistic work. Art is her response to war and convention. In one of her letters, she stresses the importance of work in keeping culture alive. Throughout her life, Sophie Taeuber-Arp has shown determination and self-sacrifice. To her art, of course, but also to her husband. During the Second World War, she was shocked by the misery suffered by the people, and struggled to find food for herself, but above all for Hans/Jean Arp. We will highlight this by reading his letters to his sister and to the Müller-Widmann collectors.   

General informations 

• Director: Safia Kessas   
• Sound editing and design: John Pirard   
• Sound engineer: Guillaume Nolevaux   
• Producer: Isabelle Truc   
• Production Manager: Natacha Hostyn   
• Post-production manager: Guillaume Nolevaux   
• Production assistant: Laure Douez   
• Co-produced by Bozar and IOTA PRODUCTION   
• Acknowledgements: Fondation Arp, Clamart - France, Fondation Marguerite Arp, Locarno, Switzerland
• Recording: June-July 2024   
• Post-production: July-August 2024   
• Delivery: early September 2024   

Expert guests 

• Walburga Krupp: art historian, associate researcher at the Institute of Cultural and Art studies, specialist and author of 14 works on Sophie Taeuber-Arp.
• Cécile Bargues, resident at the National Institute of Art History, author of Sophie Taeuber-Arp, les dernières années( Giacometti Foundation and Fage, 2022).
• Agathe Mareuge: Lecturer at the Sorbonne in Paris, research professor in Germanic studies and cultural mediation.   
• Sébastien Tardy: head of collections at the Fondation Arp, located in the Arp couple's former home and studio in Clamart.   
• Mirela Ionesco: General Secretary of the Fondation Arp.
• Michelle Perrot: historian specialising in women's history, professor emeritus of contemporary history at Paris-Diderot University and French feminist activist.   
• Kurt de Boodt: dramaturge at Bozar