SAC-Art Exibition «Passage» at the Gemmipass from 6 July to 12 October 2025
As part of the exhibition ‘Passage’ – in the spirit of joyful science – a
very special passage, a transition that is usually
avoided, is artistically addressed: facial wrinkles, ageing processes... from one laugh line to
another...
In an age of smooth surfaces, Botox and flat screens, Klara Schilliger and
Valerian Maly are taking a stand:
‘Wrinkles & Furrows’: facial morphology meets geomorphology.
Human age wrinkles meet millions of years old wrinkles and deposits of the
imposing rock on the Gemmi Pass: marl shale, sandstone and limestone, some of
which are full of organic remains.
Klara Schilliger and Valerian Maly are using the most beautiful facial wrinkles – obtained
from submissions by the local population in Leukerbad and Kandersteg – to build a kind of
symbolic shelter, a refuge for people on the Gemmi Pass –
because until now, these have only been available for animals ...
The shape and architectural design of the shelter is generated from
photos of local facial wrinkles that have been sent in.
The shelter, called ‘Falten & Furchen’ (Wrinkles & Furrows), is literally ‘under the skin’.
The shelter is a six-part structure made of wickerwork, into which local
sheep's wool is woven. Nearby, in a dule, there are shells
and snail shells from Lake Neuchâtel; Asian basket shells,
quagga mussels from the Black Sea region and other
aquatic molluscs) collected on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel – invasive
mussels and snails that may be used as cement in the future.
All three building materials tell us a lot about local craftsmanship and history – and as such, they are highly relevant in terms of sustainability and cultural-historical approaches:
In the past, goods were transported over the pass by mule and basket.
Basket weaving was a widespread source of winter income on both sides of the Gemmi Pass; Basket weaving was a widespread source of winter income on both sides of the Gemmi Pass;
today, basket weaving is considered intangible cultural heritage.
Construction methods such as weaving techniques using renewable materials are currently being widely discussed,
particularly in urban and climate planning.
With the sheep's wool from the Gemmi sheep – obtained during shearing on 8 April 2025
by Gemmi shepherdess Monica Duran – a second
facial wrinkle landscape is woven into the willow construction – as a protective layer, with its
fluffy but water-repellent protection.
Shell limestone meets the ‘Ocean in the Alps’ – the title of a book by
geologists Helmut Weissert and Iwan Stössel, which made a lasting impression on artist couple Valerian Maly and
Klara Schilliger, who themselves often work with
geologists in the context of their artistic activities.
With the participation of
Simon Tschachtli, Visualisation and planning work, Berne tschachtli.net
&
Weidenflechtgruppe Salix
Tony Bucheli, Langenthal
Bernard Verdet, Lavin, GR
Pepito F. Zwahlen, Grabs, SG flechtgruppe-salix.ch
& for the substructure
Hubert Bienek, Metallarbeiten, Langenthal hubertbienek.ch
Our thanks also go to Monica Duran, the Gemmi shepherdess, who allowed us to spend a day with her at the beginning of April watching the sheep being sheared: The sheep's wool we wove
and to Sara Koller, who provided us with expert advice on wind and weather conditions as a meteorologist
as well as Pascal Schneiter, the technician responsible for the entire ‘Passage’ project, coordinating helicopter transport and providing advice and practical assistance!
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to KULTUR STADT and BURGERGEMEINDE BERNE for their additional project funding.
