A modern acropolis in Aargau: On the trail of Erwin Rehmann's monumental life's work in Suhr on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 12:30 from Laufenburg train station

You would expect to find many things in a logistics center of a major distributor, but hardly an artistic "Gesamtkunstwerk" that is reminiscent of ancient sites in its dimensions and vision. The Rehmann Museum invites you on a journey of discovery to Suhr (Buchs/Aarau) to view one of Erwin Rehmann's (1921-2020) most powerful projects: The monumental sculpture ensemble in the Migros administration and distribution center.

From shopping basket to source of life
When Erwin Rehmann received the commission for the entrance area of the new administration center in the mid-1980s, his vision was bold. Inspired by Migros founder Gottlieb Duttweiler's "Culture Percentage", he created a place of strength for the people who work there every day. The reception building, which reminded him of an acropolis, was to be enlivened by a "mysteriously joyful source of life" and not merely a decoration. Over a period of four years, Rehmann created an ensemble of 30 tons of bronze that inseparably combines architecture, nature and water.

A feast for the senses: water, light and metal
The centerpiece of the outdoor area is the four-part water staircase. Parallel to the pedestrian steps, Rehmann created a play of babbling torrents and bronze reefs. The work is a masterpiece that extends over the entire outdoor and indoor area:

- The water staircase: a chain of bronze cubes guides the water along the forecourt and where the water gushes like a "joyful fountain of life".
- The eruption sculpture I (1986): A golden yellow brass sculpture serves as the focal point of the square, acting as a spatial focal point on the forecourt (dimensions: 400cm x 475cm / 360cm h)
- The wall reliefs: Inside the building there are floor-to-ceiling wall sculptures made of bronze / aluminum bronze (weighing approx. 400 kg). The metal seems to rush towards the viewer like fire.

Courage to go big
The creation of the work itself resembled an adventure. Rehmann worked on the ensemble for over four years, supported by Laufenburg locksmith Jul Fessler. The realization was only possible thanks to the trust of the Migros management and the idealism of the architect Robert Frei, who made the artistic vision possible in its entirety. The work was inaugurated in 1986.

Details of the journey
In the footsteps of Erwin Rehmann, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Meeting point Laufenburg train station Postbus terminal 12:30 pm, Postbus departure 12:42 pm
Frick station from 13:09 via Benkerjoch - Aarau station, change from bus route 1 to Buchs AG, Wynenfeld.
Destination: Bus stop Buchs AG Wynenfeld (Migros distribution center Suhr (Aarau Buchs / Wynecenter)
Program: Tour of the monumental outdoor sculptures, the water staircase and the spectacular wall reliefs in the foyer.
Participation with individual arrival and return journey:
Meeting point 14:15 Migros distribution center Suhr, Wynenfeldstrasse 1 (Aarau Buchs / Wynecenter)

Return by public transport Laufenburg 17:36 hrs

Accompaniment incl. public transport from/to Laufenburg station
Rudolf Lüscher, President of the Rehmann Museum Foundation Board Tel. 079 632 65 60
rudolf.luescher@rehmann-museum.ch
Cost: CHF 10 (please bring cash)
Please buy your own tickets for the journey. Half-fare single ticket CHF 6.20.


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.