.About our company

At Kunstguss beider Basel AG, our focus is on art casting: a traditional craft that allows the creation of sculptural works in metal. Various casting methods are used, all based on the principle of the lost form.

In our metal foundry, we create the molds, melt the metals, and cast them. In addition to the classic lost-wax casting method, we also use sand casting. In lost-wax casting, a wax model is embedded in a heat-resistant material, the wax is melted out, and the mold is fired. In sand casting, the mold is formed around a model embedded in sand and then removed, leaving a hollow cavity. The molten metal is then poured into these cavities. Once cooled, the mold is broken apart to release the finished casting.

Besides these metal casting methods, we also produce other cast works such as plaster, silicone, and plastic casts, as well as wax figures. Additionally, we continuously expand our expertise in glass casting (pâte de verre) to explore further possibilities.

In our workshops, we closely support artists throughout the entire creative process, from the model to the finished cast. We see ourselves as both craftspeople and translators: combining technical know-how with an understanding of artistic concepts to transform ideas into concrete forms.

We also restore artworks carefully and professionally to ensure their longevity and protection. We support artists in public art projects and collaborate with architects to realize their cast metal projects.

.Team

Hanna Baumann

Founding Member. Project Managment, 3D Printing / Sketching and Mould-Making Workshop

BA of Science in Architecture, ETH Zurich, MA of Arts in Critical Urbanism, University of Basel

Hanna works across project management, 3D printing and model-making, with a focus on 3D-sketching and moulding techniques.

Valentin Lämmler

Founding Member, Foundry work, house-mechanic

Qualified Foundryperson (VET Diploma)

15 years of experience working in industrial and art foundries, including positions as lead foundryperson in art foundries.
Fixes every mechanical machine and stays remarkably calm in the midst of all the comlexities, be it casting or anything else.

Rahel Sarasin 

Founding Member. Project Manager, Patina Artisan, Communications and Graphic Design.

BA of Arts in Visual Communication, School of Art and Design Basel, Media and Gender Studies, University of Basel 

Long lasting interest in art, theory and craftsship. 

Raphaël Schmid

Founding Member, All-Rounder, Complex Projects, Anchor

Qualified Foundryperson (VET Diploma), BA of Fine Arts HKB (Schweizerisches Literaturinstitut) 

20 plus years of experience in art foundries and working for and with artists.

Joas Risseeuw

Welding and Chiseling

Qualified Sculptor (VET Diploma), Props Master (IHK)

Using his interdisciplinary skills within the framework of craft to deepen his skills in metal finishing. 

Balz Traub

Apprenticeship as a Foundryperson (VET Diploma)

Diploma Radiologic Technologist (HF)

Started with his own small jewellry foundry set up at home before changing careers to become a foundryperson.

Michèle Elsener

Mould Making, Wax Work, Chiseling, Patina Artisan

Trained Foundryperson

30 years experience in art casting and artist-oriented environments. From delicate wax work to complex analogue model-making, chiseling, and patina, Michèle is an expert with a finely trained eye for detail. 

Kaspar Müller

Artist, Curator, Lecturer ECAL Lausanne

Diploma Fine Arts and Media Art, School of Art and Design, Basel

As an artist, advisor, and curator, his relationship with the foundry is rooted in a deep interest in contexts, connections, and shared reflections on craft, art, and economy.