le grutli flotte
2013-18

Wood, barrels, garden hag,
Rütli meadow, artificial geraniums,
Flagpole with Swiss flag
250×250×100cm

In cooperation with
Lukas Lenherr and assistance
Mischa Camenzind

At the beginning of August 1291, the original cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden joined forces on the Rütli to take the oath of allegiance for the Waldstätte alliance. Known as the „cradle of Switzerland“, the Rütli meadow, which covers an area of about five square kilometers, has the character of a national monument to nations. It stands as a symbol and answer to the questions of our identity and embodies a feeling of security and safety for the majority of Swiss people.

In the past, it was proper for a „real“ Swiss to have visited the Rütli once in his or her life. We are breaking away from these almost fanatically nationalistic constraints and bringing visitors closer to a 6.25m2 piece of this sacred ground.
[…]

„Le Grutli Flotte“ is intended to become the mouthpiece of all the inhabitants of Switzerland and to stimulate reflection on this country. Far from pathos, it becomes a public platform on which a critical, ironic and/or tragic stocktaking of today‘s Switzerland is created. Through the various stages, the Rütli will be charged with more and more experiences and events.

The ground material of the platform consists of original meadow from the Rütli. The meadow, which can be difficult to reach, has already provided space for a pédalo cinema, tête-à-tête dinners chez grutli and even a hôtel grutli.