† Remo Besio

16. März 2016

Am Montag, dem 14. März 2016, ist Remo Besio an den Folgen einer schweren Krebserkrankung im Alter von 75 Jahren gestorben.

Remo Besio war von 1990 bis 2008 Direktor des Technorama und hat das Konzept für die Transformation vom Museum zum Science Center entwickelt und erfolgreich umgesetzt.

Todesanzeige Remo Besio_März 2016

Remo Besio arbeitete von 1988 bis 2008 im Technorama, ab 1990 als Direktor. Mit einem neuen Leitbild setzte er die Transformation vom Museum zum Science Center um. Ein grosses Experimentierfeld sollte zum spielerischen Lernen einladen und Phänomene aus Natur und Technik mit allen Sinnen erfahrbar machen. Mit grosser Energie, hartnäckig und kompromisslos, fordernd und fördernd, begeisternd und unmissverständlich suchte Remo Besio weltweit die besten Ideen und Personen, um dieses Ziel zu erreichen: Mit seiner Liebe und Begeisterung für das Detail entstand ein Ort, dessen Magie Alt und Jung, Mann und Frau in ihren Bann schlug und die Welt im doppelten Wortsinn begreifen liess.

Auf dieser Seite teilen Freunde und Kollegen ihre Gedanken und Erinnerungen an Remo Besio.

 

— In Commemoration of Remo Besio —

Technorama’s staff are mourning the death of Remo Besio. He died of cancer on the 14th of March 2016.
Remo Besio worked from 1988 to 2008 in Technorama, from 1990 as director. With a new vision, he transformed the existing museum into a science center. A huge field of experiments would invite playful learning, letting visitors experience phenomena of Nature and technology with all their senses. Tenacious and uncompromising, challenging and demanding, inspirational and unequivocal, Remo Besio searched worldwide with boundless energy for the best ideas and persons to reach this goal. With his love and enthusiasm for detail, a magical place emerged, enchanting old and young, and making them able to grasp the natural world in both senses of the word.

On this page, Friends and former colleagues are invited to share their thoughts and memories of Remo Besio.

Michel Junge, 17.03.2016 01:04:

Dies ist einer der traurigsten Abschiede meines Lebens. Ich hatte die Ehre und das Vergnügen, über zehn Jahre im Technorama und danach auch in meiner neuen Funktion im phaeno mit Remo Besio zusammen arbeiten und leben zu können.
Seine tiefe Leidenschaft, seine Liebe und seine Energie mit der er unablässig und hartnäckig die Weiterentwicklung des Technorama, der Ausstellung, der Workshops und Fortbildungen … der Qualität des Besuchererlebnisses verfolgte, hat mich und alle, die mit ihm zusammen gearbeitet haben, zutiefst geprägt.
Remo hat mir entscheidende Impulse gegeben, mich gefordert – oh ja – und gefördert. Und mich so dazu gebracht, auch meine Grenzen immer ein Stückchen weiter zu schieben.
Im Laufe der Jahre ist aus der Arbeitsbeziehung mehr entstanden – aus einem gemeinsamen Verständnis und der gemeinsamen Leidenschaft für die Sache ist eine tiefe persönliche, ja familiäre Bindung entstanden, die über die Zeit im Technorama hinaus Bestand hatte und sich immer weiter vertiefte. Seine Unterstützung, sein Rückhalt waren auch in den letzten Jahren im phaeno unschätzbar wertvoll für mich. Ohne Ihn wäre ich nicht an dem Punkt – in vielerlei Hinsicht – wo ich heute bin! Er war und ist ein Vorbild, das mich auch für die Zukunft inspiriert.
In diesem umfänglichen Sinne ist dieser traurige Moment auch der Moment grösster Dankbarkeit für all dass, was Remo mir gegeben hat.

Die Welt ist ein wenig dunkler geworden – ohne sein Licht!

Caro Remo, mille grazie!

Jörg Moor, 17.03.2016 10:50:

Zu Beginn meiner Anstellung im Technorama kümmerte ich mich um Dampfmaschinen, Werkzeugprüfmaschinen, Textilmaschinen und die grosse Energieshow, leider machten uns mit diesem Konzept die schwindenden Besucherzahlen und das fehlende Geld immer mehr Sorgen.

Remo Besio wurde damals als Leiter Finanzen eingestellt, um eine Lösung der finanziellen Probleme zu suchen. Er schlug aber einen ganz neuen Weg ein und der Gedanke von einem neuen Science Center wurde umgesetzt. Schon mit der ersten Ausstellung „Kunst kommt von Technik“ konnte ich mich für die Science Center Welt begeistern und durfte mit jeder Ausstellung tiefer in diese phänomenale Welt eintauchen.
Remo führte das Technorama Schritt für Schritt, ohne viele Kompromisse einzugehen, zu einem international anerkannten Science Center. Es erfüllt mich mit Stolz und tiefer Dankbarkeit, dass ich ihn auf diesem Weg begleiten durfte. Er war nicht nur ein Vorgesetzter, sondern auch ein Freund und Berater, der mich in vielem unterstützte und förderte, aber auch sehr fordernd sein konnte, was mich tief prägte und zu dem machte, was ich bin.

Ich möchte mich für all das bedanken, was Remo für mich getan hat, er bleibt für mich immer ein Vorbild und ich werde ihn als Macher und aufgestellte Persönlichkeit in Erinnerung behalten.

Es war und ist für mich ein Privileg, die Geschichte des Technorama hautnah mit zu erleben.

Fabian Beusch, 17.03.2016 11:08:

es ist sehr traurig das Remo Besio von uns gegangen ist

Marco Miranda, 17.03.2016 15:11:

Hallo Remo,
wir haben immer auf italienisch gesprochen. So werde ich auch jetzt machen…
Quando sono arrivato al Technorama la prima volta, 8 anni fa, la prima cosa che mi hai chiesto è stata quale fosse il bar a Napoli vicino a piazza Plebiscito. Perchè ti piaceva tanto il Gambrinus. Remo, la tua capacità di stare vicino alle persone, di accompagnarle, di incoraggiarle era unica. La tua gioia e la tua passione erano contagiose. Bastava starti vicino. Quando ho saputo della tua scomparsa, martedì, sono stato malissimo. Oggi così così. Saluto un grande amico, un grande uomo. Quando pronuncio o penso a lui mi viene in mente il suo viso sorridente con cui accompagnava ogni suo pensiero, parola, opinione o gesto che fosse. È stata una guida per me, senza mai giudicarmi o forzarmi, ma sapendomi sempre saggiamente accompagnare. Un profondo vuoto mi pervade, ma una parte di me si è formata grazie ai suoi consigli, alle chiacchierate con lui, alla sua compagnia, grazie a lui mi sento arricchito. E allora mi sento anche felice. E so quanto io sia stato fortunato ad avere incontrato in questa vita Remo Besio.
Ciao Remo, grazie.
Marco

Nicole Rowold, 17.03.2016 15:35:

Meine erste Begegnung mit „Herrn Besio“ war rund um die Jahrtausendwende als das „Projekt phaeno“ noch ganz am Anfang war.

Wir „Grünschnäbel“ aus Wolfsburg standen vor dem Technorama, kamen aus dem Staunen nicht heraus und Remo öffnete uns in dunkelblauem Anzug mit weißen Sneakern die Tür,
nahm 3 Treppenstufen auf einmal und begeisterte uns anschließend von „seinen Exponaten“ und der Faszination der Naturwissenschaften.

Ich war sofort in seinen Bann gezogen und begeistert von dieser einmaligen Persönlichkeit vom ersten Moment.

Das phaeno hat er von der Projektarbeit über die Eröffnung bis hin zur Etablierung dauerhaft und mit aller Kraft begleitet!

Wir können dankbar sein, ihn so wohlwollend an unserer Seite gehabt zu haben!

Danke, Remo!

Alexandre Kounitzky, 17.03.2016 15:45:

Avec Remo Besio nous perdons un Grand Homme et je perds un ami. Ce fut toujours un plaisir de travailler avec ensemble, j’ai admiré son assurance, ses concepts très nets et sans lui je n’aurais pas réussi à être là où je suis aujourdh’hui.
Au revoir Monsieur Besio, je vous remercie pour tout.

Ian Russell, 17.03.2016 15:52:

I especially respected Remo for his true, personal delight in phenomena and for his commitment to sharing this effectively and without compromise.

Asger Høeg, 17.03.2016 16:43:

It makes me extremely sad to learn that Remo Besio passed away two days ago. I have always admired Remo Besio’s entusiasm compared with his professional attitude to how to run a cultural institution. Remo was really close to his staff and his lovely exhibits. He knew each of them personally – also the exhibits! I have always thought of Remo as being The Exploratorium’s Excellent Ambassador to Europe. He was extremely inspired by Frank Oppenheimer and his Exploratorium Staff. And Remo brought this inspiration to Europe and created the best science center in Europe! I honor Remo Besio’s memory!

Bill Bell, 17.03.2016 16:45:

I will greatly miss Remo’s immense outflow of good will and good humor.


Melissa Alexander, 17.03.2016 17:13:

Remo had extended «family» or , perhaps it is better to say, he is extended family at the Exploratorium in San Francisco where his presence and influence was always felt. He had strong words for our faults, and genuine appreciation for our insights and both were always valuable. I will miss the man, his grace, jovial personality and constancy of character most of all. It is hard to imagine a world without him, but I believe his influence will be felt for a very very long time. Colleagues at Technorama and Europe, we feel his loss.

Charles Carlson, 17.03.2016 17:20:

Remo was a dear colleague and friend, who took inspiration from the Exploratorium and expanded its essence into something more magical. His drive wrested notions of exhibitry into new forms of beauty and elegance. His ever inquisitive and restless soul, which found new ways to beauty and elegance, found expression as an institution. I will miss his boundless, energy, enthusiasm, ingenuity, and friendship.

Giorgio Häusermann, 17.03.2016 17:57:

Grazie Remo della tua amicizia e delle tue visite in Ticino a vedere i nostri spettacoli.

David Barker, 17.03.2016 18:31:

I share in the museum world’s mourning of this inspiring and enormously influential man. A demanding mentor, elegant presence, and unparalleled aesthete, Remo changed the way we look at our profession and our world. He will be greatly missed.

Helmut Eigenmann, 17.03.2016 19:38:

Ich bin seit 2006 oft im Kontakt mit Herrn Besio gewesen, wir haben uns mehrere Male im Phaeno und im Tessin getroffen. Vor Weinachten 2015 habe ich mit Ihm das letzte Mal gesprochen. Seit Anfang seiner schlimmen Krankheit habe ich Ihn bewundert, wie er seine Berater Tätigkeit mit der üblichen Begeisterung in verschiedenen Ländern weiter geführt hat. Die heutige Nachricht hat mich ziemlich getroffen, und ich habe keine Lust noch weiteres zu sagen. Remo Besio war fuer mich ein Freund.

Thomas Hofer, 17.03.2016 19:42:

It has only been 3 days before that particular crummy day when I visited him at his home in Schaffhausen.
When I started working for Technorama as an explainer he was my boss, when I switched to administration he became a confident beyond that and not later than he retired he became a very special friend to me. Nobody sparked my passion on phenomenal learning more than him. He never stopped pushing boundaries, even in his latest days when I had visited him. He kept on looking forward, it seemed to me, he didn’t want to bother that endings might be nigh. If only he would have been granted some more time. At least, it’s a cold comfort to have witnessed he didn’t suffer pain and was always remoclear in his mind to the very end.
Well, he may have died but he is not dead! He left a cultivated garden whose flowers are still blooming. I may own one of them. He taught me to go beyond what already has been done before, he taught me that the sheer beauty of things may be much more convincing than the boldest description of it. I remember him saying: “The fool didn’t know it was impossible, so he did it”. I owe him so much and it’s one of those sad moments where the world feels somehow empty with just one person leaving. It shall leave me with gratefulness – to have known him, his wife, his daughter and his son. His family deserves our warmest thoughts.

Ed Tannenbaum, 17.03.2016 20:12:

Remo was a one of a kind. Truly a kindred spirit of Frank Oppenheimer, he took that spirit to new heights. Working with him and his team was a pleasure and an honor. He was able to demand the best of all of us in the kindest way. His vision was clear and he was gifted in his ability to convey that vision clearly and with enthusiasm. It, I think, came from an inner core of honesty and sincerity, coupled with an innate sense of design, beauty and wonder. It is a spirit and vision that will live on through his displayed works and through the many colleagues he inspired. He will continue to touch many lives in wonderful ways. Hail Remo!

Paul Friedlander, 17.03.2016 20:27:

A wave of sadness passed over me as I read about Remo. He was the first person to give me a big break and my first large commission, before then I was hardly recognised. The Light Waves in the Textile section would never have happened without Remo. My impression of him was a man who had a real love and passion for what he was doing, who trusted his own judgement and was prepared to take risks. He was an artist too in his own way and commissioned me in the early 90s, a little known artist with no experience in the science museum world. Thank you Remo; and good to meet you again at Phaeno.

Bruce Shapiro, 18.03.2016 07:09:

I never met Frank Oppenheimer. From everything I’ve read and heard about the man– I wish I had. But I was fortunate enough to meet Remo. In 2003, he commissioned one of my first installations. The last time I saw him was at Phaeno, last September, after installing a work that he had called to their attention. I had a young assistant with me, and the three of us toured the set of new exhibits. At each he would would pause and observe. Then, with obvious passion, he would share a combination of delight and critique. And then explain. His excitement was palpable. It left a big impression on my assistant, he later told me. And upon me as well. Remo had a profound impact on so many. Though he is gone, his work and its legacy continues.

Davy Champion, 18.03.2016 08:56:

Un grand Monsieur s’en va …
Lieber Remo, danke für deine Leidenschaft für die naturwissenschaftlichen Phänomene, deine hohen Ansprüche an die Qualität der Exponate, deine Impulse, Ideen, Beratung für unsere Einrichtung, dein Spirit. Wir werden dich vermissen.
Chapeau, für was du in deinem Leben geleistet hast.
Davy

Prof. Per-Edvin Persson, 18.03.2016 08:58:

I am very, very sad to learn about Remo’s passing away. He was a great visionary in the science centre field: his bright ideas, his clever thoughts and his attention to quality will form a lasting contribution to not only Technorama but the entire field. Remo once said «Wissenschaft is ein Spiel, das Wissen schafft». A great synopsis of him as well. We miss you, Remo!

Lea Tuuli, 18.03.2016 14:03:

Honouring the memory of former colleague Remo Besio. R.I.P.
Lea Tuuli
Director of Communications, Heureka the Finnish Science Centre (retired)

Paolo Legato, 18.03.2016 14:34:

Remo’s voice was on a tape recorded during a conference about Science Centers some years ago. I was transcribing the tape and I was impressed by his speech full of little meaningful everyday episodes, enriched by plenty of practical advices as well as inspiriting principles. His words stayed with me since then.
Grazie Remo, we’ll miss you.

Dr. Peter Baumberger, 18.03.2016 15:31:

Lieber Remo
Auch ich bin sehr traurig über Deinen Tod. Wir haben seinerzeit (10. Dezember 1998) gemeinsam ein Postulat „Technorama der Schweiz“ für den Nationalrat aus-gearbeitet.
„Technorama der Schweiz: Ausbau und Unterstützung
Der Bundesrat wird eingeladen, im Rahmen seiner Bestrebungen zur Förde-rung des Verständnisses für Wissenschaft und Technik in der Gesellschaft das Technorama der Schweiz, das landesweit einzige naturwissenschaftlich-technische Experimentierfeld mit Betriebsbeiträgen in seiner Existenz zu si-chern und so dessen bildungsmässiges Potential weitesten Kreisen der Bevöl-kerung gesamtschweizerisch zu erschliessen.“
Am 20. August 1999 hast Du der von mir präsidierten Kommission für öffentliche Bauten und der damaligen Bundespräsidentin begeisternd das Technorama vorge-stellt. Wohl auch deswegen wurde am 23. September 1999 das Postulat mit 78 zu 56 Stimmen überwiesen. Mit dem seither vom Bund erhaltenen Geld hast Du her-vorragend gearbeitet. Wir sind Dir alle sehr dankbar. Schade, dass Dein Wissen, Dein Einsatz und Dein Frohmut uns nicht länger erhalten geblieben sind.
Peter Baumberger, Alt-Nationalrat

Ann Bommer, Alfred Frei, 18.03.2016 15:35:

Herr Frei (der momentan in Südafrika weilt und in dessen Name ich hier auch spreche) und ich sind geschockt über diese Nachricht. Wir können es nicht glauben und möchten auf diesem Wege unser tiefstes Beileid bekunden. Hatten wir doch sehr sehr lange Zeit mit Herrn Besio eng zusammengearbeitet und werden sein Können und vor allem seinen Schalk für immer missen müssen. In Trauer Ann Bommer & Alfred Frei

Chris Boyle, 18.03.2016 18:57:

Remo. He always challenged me to do it better, and for this I am very grateful. Shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.

Dennis Bartels, 18.03.2016 21:28:

I’ll never forget my first visit to Technorama. Remo was so proud and so pleased to share what he and his team created. At first glance, I thought he figured it out–our secret sauce. It had all the elements, the science, art, perception, exhibit aestetic, etc. of the Exploratorium. It’s truly a mirror of our own values. Then I took a closer look, and noticed that several the same exhibits had outdone our own. He had made significant improvements to our original exhibit ideas. Partly this was swiss precision engineering–the bouncing metal ball lasted twice as long as ours. But he also thought deeply about the pedagogical experience of the user. He was an innovator. His love and passion for it was without rival. He conveyed that to all of us. We’ve had many conversations over the years, as recent as a few weeks ago and it’s impossible to believe he isn’t still with us. His words and ideas will ring for me for a long time.

Tatyana Jakovskaya, 18.03.2016 22:15

We met Remo in 1998 when he invited Sharmanka to exhibit our Kinetic sculptures at Technorama. We were extremely impressed – he was not only a tireless enthusiast and perfect professional, but also a great human soul – gentle, generous and strong. Last time we saw him in Phaeno in 2008, he flew there for the opening of big exhibition of kinetic sculptures by different artists – which would not happened without his enthusiasm for idea, he promoted everywhere with all his ever young passion. He looked as elegant and as boyish, as always. We are extremely grateful for his support over the years – and will miss him at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

ANDRES Gilles, 19.03.2016 23:48

C’est avec beaucoup de tristesse que nous apprenons le décès de Remo Besio. Son intérêt pour «Les Machines Singulières» de Pierre ANDRES, nous avait rapproché et nous avions noué des liens d’amitié et pu profiter de ses conseils avisés. Il avait une grande admiration et un attachement particulier avec les oeuvres de Pierre ANDRES, ce qui l’avait amené à constituer une collection au sein du Technorama où elles sont toujours exposés. C’est une grande perte pour nous comme pour beaucoup d’autres. Un grand monsieur s’en va …

Albrecht Beutelspacher, 20.03.2016 12:18:

Ich bin Remo Besio zutiefst dankbar. Er hat mich einerseits vorbehaltlos ermutigt und andereseits immer klar gemacht, dass alles nur funktioniert, wenn man höchste Qualität erreicht (wissenschaftlich, pädagogisch/didaktisch und technisch) . Diesem Anspruch konnte sich niemand entziehen, der mit ihm arbeitete. Viele Science Center wäre ohne ihn nicht da, wo sie heute sind. Danke!

Moshe Rishpon, 20.03.2016 14:29:

Directing the development of such a successful science center as the Technorama is a big challenge. Converting an old fashioned museum into a modern, highly advanced center is a mission that only a really focused, intelligent, creative and able person could have achieved.
Remo Besio was like that.
In our conversations I sometimes pretended to confuse Technorama with TechnoREMO. I will never forget his smile. But it’s clear to me that one could not imagine one without the other.
Remo Besio was like that.
I’ll remember my friend Remo with joy and a lot of sorrow.
Moshe Rishpon
and a lot of sorrow.

Trimpin, 20.03.2016 18:12:

Remo’s visionary ideas and realization to combine art and science going back a quarter century ago was unheard of in most major science centers around the world. He had the ability to bring together all disciplines like artist, engineers and other professionals to design, create and build incredible installations and exhibits which transformed the Technorama into the 21century Swiss Science Center. I was fortunate to work with Remo since 1991 on a few projects together, he was not only a director, he was a visionary thinker, great musician, connoisseur in food, a great companion to have a interesting conversation —-in all a incredible human being, we will miss you Remo.

Trimpin

Barbara Streicher, 21.03.2016 10:01:

Remo Besio schaffte es, mit seinen kritischen Fragen und hohem Anspruch nicht entmutigend, sondern anspornend zu wirken. So war der Austausch mit ihm immer bereichernd. Danke!

ward fleming, 21.03.2016 14:29:

A marvelous guy, curious and motivated, handsome. Italian and Swiss, a great combination like coffee and rum. Fairly impartial, persistent, everything I dreamt of in a boss. I’m glad I had the opportunity to be schooled without knowing it, the way it was with Frank, Bob, Phil and Phyllis, arbitrary it seems, perhaps I was in the right place at the right time.

My son Eero and I were with Remo and Marlies a year ago, he drove us through the Swiss countryside at high-speed flipping his wife out in the backseat, Eero dug it. Sweet hearts and fond memories, we all float along…

Ian Simmons, 21.03.2016 14:49:

Bumping into Remo was always a highlight of any conference we both attended. He was unfailingly friendly, charming and interesting. He was a science centre guy to the core and really understood both exhibits and visitors making Technorama one of the few places that really has ‹the vibe›. He understood how art and science connected and how to create and use exhibits that made the best of both, the result was a subtle and confident science centre that captured the imagination of all who visited. I shall miss his friendly face, imaginative conversation and wise thoughts on our business

Rob Semper, 21.03.2016 16:42:

On behalf of all of the Exploratorium family, of which we consider Remo an honorary member, I want to express our sincere condolences on the passing of our dear friend Remo. Remo was a deeply committed institutional and personal advocate of our organization and our staff. His unceasing efforts to make the world and our institutions a better place through his intellect, emotion and care was extraordinary. He will be sorely missed.

Margit Fischer, 22.03.2016 08:30:

Die Nachricht vom Ableben von Remo Besio hat mich zuerst einmal sehr still und nachdenklich werden lassen. Viele Begegnungen und Mails sind mir in Erinnerung gekommen. Der Verlust ist groß und schmerzlich.
Remo bin ich bei einer meiner ersten ecsite-Konferenzen, wenn nicht überhaupt bei meiner ersten Konferenz in Kopenhagen begegnet und ich war sofort von seinem visionären Denken beeindruckt. Einige private Begegnungen, eine Einladung mit der österreichischen Unterrichtsministerin Schmied, Gedankenaustausch mit dem Stiftungsratpräsidenten André Voillat und nicht zuletzt eine Exkursion mit Partnern des Science Center Netzwerk unter seinem Nachfolger Künnemann, haben die Freundschaft zwischen Wien und Winterthur geprägt und gefestigt.
In den letzten Jahren gab es auch einen privaten Gedankenaustausch, den ich nicht missen möchte und mir die Person Remo Besio nahe brachte.
Ich werde Remo sehr vermissen.

Thorsten-D. Künnemann, 23.03.2016 08:41:

In Frank Oppenheimers Analogie vom Spaziergang durch den Wald (dem walk in the woods), in der das Science Center wie der Wald ein Ort der Begegnung und Erfahrung mit Naturphänomenen ist, gab es keinen zweiten, der sich so gut in diesem Wald auskannte und den Blick auf seine vielen kleinen Wunder zu lenken verstand wie Remo Besio.

Als ich 2008 seine Nachfolge als Direktor des Technorama antrat, kam ich zurück von einer Reise mit vielen Eindrücken aus anderen Science Centern und mir war längst klar, dass dies ein besonderer Ort war. Mit den vermutlich grössten Schuhen in ganz Winterthur sollte ich die metaphorische Herausforderung, in grosse Fussstapfen zu treten, nicht scheuen. Doch dieses Erbe war gross.

Einer der jüngeren Einträge auf Tripadvisor.com vergleicht das Technorama mit einer Reihe von anderen Science Centern und kommt zu dem Schluss: „They’re all good, some are excellent, but Technorama is AMAZING.“ Oder wie antwortete eine Science Center Delegation auf die Frage, warum sie das Technorama als eine von drei Destinationen in Europa für ihre Studienreise ausgewählt hatten? Ein Kollege in Grossbritannien habe es ihnen mit den Worten empfohlen: „..if you haven’t seen Technorama, you have seen nothing at all.“ Die Wertschätzung, die das Haus erfährt und das freudige Staunen und die Begeisterung, die seine Ausstellungen bei den Besuchern auslösen, sind auch heute noch der Verdienst von Remo Besio und der von ihm 1990 formulierten Strategie und Vision. In einer zunehmend multimedialen und virtuellen Welt ist es unsere unique experience proposition, dass hier das „Begreifen“ der Welt im doppelten Wortsinn möglich bleibt und durch keinen Bildschirm ersetzt werden kann.

Remo Besios immenser Erfahrungsschatz, sein Selbstbewusstsein und die oft apodiktisch vorgetragenen Überzeugungen machten das Gespräch mit ihm nicht immer leicht. Er mochte keine halben Sachen und quittierte mangelnde Qualität oder Unentschlossenheit hin und wieder mit diesem Zitat: “There are basically two ways you can make sure visitors will never forget you: You give people either a terrific and amazing experience. Or you give them a boring, shitty experience.“ Wer sich durch seine direkten, manchmal vernichtenden Urteile über schlechte Exponate nicht entmutigen liess und seine Vorschläge weiter verfolgte, erhielt am Ende meist ein besseres Exponat.

Und wer sich als guter Exponatebauer erwies, erhielt grösste und ehrliche Anerkennung und das Geschenk einer jahrzehntelangen kritisch-konstruktiven Freundschaft.

In seiner E-Mail-Korrespondenz nutzte er alle typografischen Möglichkeiten aus, um mit verschiedenen Schriftstärken, -typen und -farben, kursiven und unterstrichenen Wörtern, Versalschriften und anderen Schriftauszeichnungen Lob, Kritik, Empörung, Freude und Empfehlungen zu betonen. Las ich diese Texte wie ein Theaterskript, entfaltete sich bei jedem Öffnen einer seiner Mails vor meinen Augen ein Schauspiel der expressivsten Form. Es war Ausdruck seiner Leidenschaft und seines Engagements für die Sache. Und die Sache war meistens ein Exponat, welches auf verblüffende und spielerische Weise Erfahrungen mit Naturphänomenen ermöglichte.

Wichtig war ihm letztendlich nur das, was in den Köpfen der Besucher passierte und Spuren hinterliess. Konnten die mit allen Sinnen gemachten Erfahrungen die Neugierde wecken, verblüffende Aha-Momente erzeugen, Weltbilder erschüttern, Fehlvorstellungen korrigieren. Lust auf Mehr machen, die Zeit vergessen lassen? Wenn nicht mindestens eines dieser Kriterien erfüllt war, blieb nur eine Schlussfolgerung: Es war ein langweiliges Exponat. Und von denen haben unter Remo Besio nicht viele den Status eines Prototypens überlebt. Was nicht überzeugte, auch wenn es seine eigene Idee war, wurde verworfen. Auf dem Bild auf dieser Seite trägt Remo Besio eine Taumelkugel mit unterschiedlicher Masseverteilung in der Hand. Im richtigen Kontext zeigte sie eine verblüffende Bewegung, doch in der Ausstellung mit den Besuchern wollte es nicht recht funktionieren. Er legte sie zurück ins Lager. Aus den Augen, aber nicht aus dem Sinn, denn aus den Fehlschlägen lernen wir.

Diplomatie schien für Remo Besio in vielen Fällen Zeitverschwendung, und doch verstand er es, bei den wirklich wichtigen Fragen zum Wohle des Technoramas Allianzen zu schmieden und die richtigen Personen charmant und eloquent für seine Sache, sein Technorama zu gewinnen.

Die Beziehung zwischen Remo Besio, dem eigentlichen Gründungsdirektor des Science Centers, und seinem Nachfolger, also mir, war nicht immer einfach. Für ihn blieb es auch viele Jahre nach der Pensionierung „sein“ Technorama. Zuletzt wurden die Mails versöhnlicher, wir entdeckten die Gemeinsamkeiten unserer Argumentation. Ich wog mich in der Hoffnung, in der verbleibenden Zeit einen intensiveren Austausch mit Remo Besio pflegen und mehr von ihm lernen zu können – doch dazu blieb weniger Zeit als erwartet. Zu wenig.

Remo Besio gebührt grösster Respekt und ausserordentliche Wertschätzung für sein Lebenswerk.

Martin Fischer, 23.03.2016 15:39:

Ever since I worked with Remo in the 1990s, he has been in my mind and heart every day. I was just in China, talking to science center people there about the power of beautiful exhibits, the pleasure of self-directed discovery and the importance of experiences that hook every visitor – everything I said was influenced by Remo. And I would not have gotten there without him.

Twenty years ago, as a young explainer at Technorama, I was a little bit scared of him. Every morning, each explainer was responsible for one exhibition hall, which meant we had to make sure that all exhibits work perfectly. We knew that at some point during the day, Remo would stroll through the halls, play with an exhibit here and there. And sometimes, as if guided by a sixth sense, he would abruptly turn and walk straight to an exhibit in the corner. Then he would come over and say: “Herr Fischer, did you check that exhibit there this morning? It’s not working now – you know what to do.” His unerring drive for the perfect exhibit and his palpable disdain for mediocrity influenced all of the staff. He always challenged his staff to make experiences better until they found the best possible way for a particular exhibit.

Remo was the best leader I have ever met. His fiercely independent intellect combined with his strong aesthetic sense and boundless energy helped him to make decisions quickly, keep his organization lean and focus on his vision: to create one of the best science centers in the world. He was always very clear about what he wanted (real, beautiful phenomena that induce visitors to experiment) and what he didn’t want (“No buttons! No screens! Nothing boring.”). He had no patience for “endless meetings” and instead preferred to meet face to face at people’s workplace. He once told me that people were thankful that he made the decisions. I’m sure that being a natural salesman helped with that. He had a great respect for people’s skills and once you earned his trust he gave you a lot of freedom. And so he inspired his staff to give their best effort – we all wanted to surpass his high expectations.

Remo was also a great example of a lifelong learner. He had a childlike enthusiasm for playful experiences, a hunger for deep understanding and was always on the lookout for original ideas. He was in awe of artists. He recognized how much passion they put into their art and how hard they worked to erase anything superfluous and frame the main message with a strong aesthetic sense. It didn’t matter whether an artist wasn’t famous – he was confident that if their art wowed him, it would impress the visitors. He was also not afraid to take risks. It was just part of trying out new things, and it almost always worked out.

The news of Remo’s death fills me with great sadness. But I also know that he lives on in the memories of the countless people he had touched with his vision and generosity. He lives on in everything we do.

Thank you so much, Remo!

Otto Lührs, 25.03.2016 14:51:

Vor über 20 Jahren traf ich Remo Besio bei der ASTC-Konferenz in San Diego zum ersten Mal. Und danach immer wieder, zuletzt in der Phäno / Wolfsburg. Fast wäre es zu einer engen Zusammenarbeit in seinem Haus gekommen. Das wurde nichts, aber manchen wertvollen Tip gab er mir bei meiner Arbeit im Spectrum Berlin. Denn dort war am Deutschen Technikmuseum der Ausbau eines Science Centers nicht immer einfach. Es sollte klare Grenzen geben. Ein Museum ist eben kein Science Center. Wer wusste das besser als Remo Besio. Ich habe ihm viel zu verdanken.

Joe Hastings, 25.03.2016 20:56

As Michel Junge wrote, without Remo, I would not be where I am, in this field and in my life. After working at the Exploratorium for a few years, I asked Ned Kahn, «if you could work anywhere for anyone, who would it be.» And he said, «Remo Besio.» So I wrote a letter to Remo and begged for a job. Lucky me! Working at Technorama in the early days of its transformation was a great introduction–not only to science centers, learning by doing, and passion for phenomena–but to leadership, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of perfection.

Later, Remo was a client, one of the most discerning customers I’ve ever had. Building exhibits for Remo was always a learning experience much more than a financial transaction. Remo and Co. would critique our products, firmly but fairly, finding every flaw, defect, and shortcoming. We would, of course (how could we not, it was Remo!) make the necessary improvements and then incorporate them into future designs. Don’t tell Remo, but we probably should have been paying him for this valuable service!

It was a privilege and honor to work with Remo and the talented people he surrounded himself with. I am saddened by this great loss, but he has made the world a much richer place. His legacy lives on.

Diane Burk, 01.04.2016 18:20:

I worked with Remo at Technorama for 6 months in 2001. Every day began with Znuni, a formal tradition I will always associate with Remo, (who always blew a horn to announce it), along with other dear colleagues at Technorama at the time.

My memories of Remo:
Constant!! interesting critical discussions
The pressure to work hard and the challenge to accomplish a lot
Being mentored, scrutinized at all times. He wouldn’t hesitate to talk to me over the museum wide intercom, if I was out on the floor of the museum.
Hikes in the Swiss mountains
Lunchtime piano recitals in the museum theater.

A talented, brilliant renaissance man with a sensitive and burning interest in everything.

Joe Ansel, 01.04.2016 18:51:

Remo was a remarkable and kind man. While obviously his family and some of his friends knew him much better than I did, I’m in a good position to comment on Remo’s professional work and the positive and enduring legacy he has left us.

I first encountered Remo in 1988. He was an assistant director at a Swiss technology museum, Technorama, and visited the Exploratorium, where I worked, to get ideas for his museum. Remo immediately grasped the value of interactive exhibits, interpretive programs and the connection between art and science. He also quickly came to understand the host of problems that accompany creating and managing an educational institution with a creative core.

By 1990 Remo had become Technorama’s Executive Director and, with a core crew of less than 50 people, he began to transform Technorama from a sleepy technology museum to the dynamic institution it is today.

What made Remo the perfect director for his time?

In addition to his unbounded energy, astounding breadth of interests, and understanding of and respect for science and technology, Remo understood creative people and the things they make. He intuitively grasped the value of art and engaging exhibits. Accordingly, in addition to creating his own upgraded versions of “tried and true” exhibits at a record pace, Remo made Technorama a haven for creative types. For example, the artist Trimpin created a sound sculpture using water drops at Technorama and sometime later, with considerable help from the staff at Technorama, the artist Ned Kahn built his first Fire Tornado for display at Technorama. Both Ned and Trimpin would become future MacArthur fellows, but Remo discovered them first; he had an eye for the new and those who could create it.

Remo was an exceptional leader. While he was demanding, decisive and at times overly detail oriented in pursuit of quality, he was rarely unreasonable, remained approachable and when occasionally proven wrong, he admitted it. Most of the time however, when it mattered, he had already made the right decision in a timely fashion. Remo did not delay or defer. Although talkative, Remo was also a good listener…in all of four languages. While I don’t believe he enjoyed fundraising and the politics that all directors must deal with—for his heart was in the exhibits and the visitor’s experience—he did such work well and earned a place for Technorama in Switzerland’s cultural scene.

Most days, staff at Technorama would have coffee and pastries around 10:00 AM and during the coffee break, sometimes Remo would serve as a receptionist and answer Technorama’s general telephone line. He spent considerable time with the general public on the exhibit floor and in the various labs; he remained in touch with his staff, his visitors and the numerous stakeholders in Witherthur and Switzerland. The simple fact I’m writing this demonstrates that Remo Besio had deep international connections in the science center world as well. Remo was connected.

He was in touch and quickly so. Before e-mail, when faxes made international communications easily possible, I always knew Remo would reply overnight or sometimes immediately. Like most productive executives, Remo worked long hours, prioritized his work and maintained momentum throughout a project. Accordingly, as Executive Director, from 1990 to 2008, Remo dramatically expanded Technorama’s exhibit collections, programs, physical building and attendance. In essence, Remo Besio, during his tenure, established Technorama as one of the leading science centers in the world. In my opinion, in terms of numbers and quality, today Technorama has the best interactive exhibit collection in the world.

Remo’s influence on the science center scene also includes early planning and considerable consulting work on phaeno, the German science center in Wolfsburg, Copernicus, the Polish science center and various projects in Russia. In February 2010, after his retirement from Technorama, Remo returned to the Exploratorium to consult with the Exploratorium under the Osher Fellowship program. Even in his “retirement” Remo stayed in touch and involved.

Professionally Remo was extraordinary, but personally he was fun and we got along very well. In part because of Remo I started piano lessons just over two years ago. While Remo was a concert pianist of considerable talent he offered me—the plinking beginner– an abundance of support and encouragement. He loved music; it was part of him. He appreciated art. He also loved to teach and learn. Remo was a complete man.

Remo Besio walked life’s path well; he lived a productive, rich, good life. He was a good father, husband and friend. This is our sole consolation upon his passing for he will be deeply and forever missed.

Jonathan Naaman, 06.04.2016 15:27:

I first met Remo during an ASTC conference in the early 2000. My first impression of him was of a sharp, intelligent person. That impression proved to be accurate. Soon after our meeting he ordered two large exhibits for Technorama’s outdoor garden. During the exhibits installations in the park we enjoyed listening to Remo’s playing the piano.
Collaborating with Remo during the years was a pleasure due to his pleasant personality and his deep understanding of matters.
I will remember him with much respect.

Al Maturo, 17.09.2016 13:50:

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Besio coordinating some German-English translations of the exhibits in Technorama. I always enjoyed meeting him during visits with my students. His enthusiasm for new interactive and dynamic exhibits was noteworthy. Mr. Besio left a learning experience legacy. Thank you.

Smitha414, 10.12.2016 11:27:

Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love , btw outstanding style. Audacity, a lot more audacity and always audacity. by Georges Jacques Danton.

Tags: