Reto Müller

Reto Müller is an artist who is fascinated by transformation and solidification processes, both natural – such as volcanic lava solidifying into basalt – and those shaped by human intervention, such as remelting and reshaping. At the same time, he recognizes that even the most permanent form is just a moment in time, always carrying the potential for change. This understanding drives his experimentation with altering states of matter, exploring the compaction, liquefaction, and re-compaction of various materials. 

The young artist has a deep affinity for working with basalt, a primordial material formed from lava that he finds imbued with a sense of “eternity.” In a Polish foundry that specializes in liquefying and casting basalt, Müller was able to create custom basalt casts for the steam bath at Hotel Maistra.

In 2013, he graduated from the École Cantonale d’Art du Valais in Sierre with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts. Prior to that, he trained in scenography at the Jacques Lecoq International Theatre School in Paris and completed his studies at the Oeschberg Horticultural School in the canton of Bern. In 2018, he conducted research in Rome through a scholarship at the Istituto Svizzero. 

In recognition of his work, Müller was awarded the Manor Art Prize Schaffhausen 2023, which includes a CHF 15,000 prize, along with an exhibition and a publication