Sounding like some kind of pop group, this is nonetheless a new exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zurich, juxtaposing the Swiss sculptor's work with Egyptian pieces from Berlin. Most of the Giacomettis are familiar, belonging as they do in the collection here. I had a very quick first look around today and it was intriguing to see the obvious influences. All the following images are provided kindly by the Kunsthaus.

This bust of Akhenaton is from c. 1340 BC and is fashioned from painted stucco.

Giacometti made these sketches in 1921.

Finally a self portrait from the same year. There is a striking similarity, no? He was greatly influenced by the art of ancient Egypt, and this little exhibition is a fascinating way to examine that dialogue. One of those where you can dip your toe in a little and often and new insights will come to light. More later.

The Kunsthaus in Zürich is holding a Friedrich Kuhn retrospective until 1st March. All the following images are supplied courtesy of Kunsthaus Zurich.

Kuhn (1926-72) was unknown to me. I discovered an artist who was a central fixture in the culture of 60's and 70's art in Switzerland and Zurich in particular. You can also see the influences of the contemporary international pop-art movement.

Another recurring theme is the incorporation of furniture like motifs.

His father was a cabinetmaker I think. A child of his time he lived and died the artists life without ever leaving the region, physically or artistically. This gives his work some resonance and truthfulness that it might not have if he had become an internationalist.

This rather good photo was taken by his friend the Swiss artist HR Giger (of Alien "fame") shortly before his death from alcoholism in 1972 at the age of 46.

The media and techniques are varied. He seems just to have used whatever seemed appropriate. A lot of collage with contemporary media and advertising references, but also some nicely crafted drawings

Some of the large direct colourful paintings on show make an immediate graphic impact when you visit the show, but I didn't make much sense of his work until I read a bit more about him, and the context of his art. Some art speaks entirely for itself, and requires no context. Other art speaks with different voices depending on whether you engage with the context and whether you understand and interpret the context the same way as someone else might for example. Sometimes the context is there as an invisible factor, sometimes it is more direct as with Kuhn. A lot of his work makes references to his own life and what is going on around him.

This is much better explained in the handout that goes with the exhibition