THE THIRD PHASE (2008-2009)
As the first two phases of the Neon-lighting competition allowed for the selection of two Geneva artists (Sylvie Fleury and Jérôme Leuba) and then two foreign artists - Dominique Gonzalez Forster (F) and Christian Jankowski (D) – the Funds for Contemporary Art of the City and Canton of Geneva (Fmac and FCAC) launched the third stage of the competition with invitations to artists from Geneva, from the rest of Switzerland and from abroad. Thus, the following artists were invited to propose light installation roofing projects:
- For the building at 14B, avenue du Mail: Francis Baudevin (Ge/CH), Silvie Defraoui (Ge/CH), Carl Michael von Hausswolff (Sweden), Sislej Xhafa (Kosovo), Heimo Zobernig (Austria).
- For the building at 6, avenue Henri-Dunant: AA Bronson (Can), Holger Friese (D), Nic Hess (CH), Alain Séchas (F), Kerim Seiler (CH).
For these installations, building rooftops were made available by the Association Saint-Boniface for 14B, avenue du Mail (building "I" on the map of the area), and by the Agency Alain Bordier and Company (acting on behalf of the owner) for 6, avenue Henri-Dunant (building "J" on the map of the area).
A jury of experts met on 10 October 2008 to discuss the art projects submitted for this 3rd phase, the jury consisted of: Françoise Ninghetto, Deputy Director of Mamco, member of the Fmac Commission, Chairman of the Jury; Sophie Costes, Mamco Curator and member of the FCAC Commission; Philippe Davet, gallery owner, representative of the Geneva Association "Quartier des Bains”; Simon Lamunière, curator, member of the FCAC Commission; Sibylle Omlin, graduate in philosophy, Villars-Burquin/Basel; Hans Rudolf Reust, Head of Studies MA in Contemporary Arts Practice of the Bern Art University and Chairman of the Federal Commission for Fine Art and Karine Vonna, Director of the Villa du Parc, Annemasse, member of the Fmac Commission.
THE WINNING PROJECTS
«Axis of Silence» by SISLEJ XHAFA (Peja/Kosovo,1970)
The artist's (Kosovo,1970) proposal consists of the installation of two large eyes, drawn on a white thermo painted metal sheet, on the flat roof of the building. The linear design will be
clearly visible by day, and by night it will be complemented by a halo of black neon lighting. The topic was chosen for its universality and because the eyes are the part of the body through
which we best communicate. The simplified, yet subtle design will allow the general public to clearly identify the installation. This will be the first figurative element installed on a
roof on the Plaine de Plainpalais, and the first production of this technique. The whole work conveys a stimulating breakdown in scale and an intriguing dreamlike appearance.
("I" on the map)
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«Fly A Dragon Kite» by NIC HESS (Zurich/CH, 1968)
The installation designed by Nic Hess (Zürich, 1968)juxtaposes diamond-shaped light boxes , lit up by different coloured neon lights and forming the silhouette of a kite. The diamond-shapes are
inspired by the shape of the Plaine de Plainpalais. The luminous caissons will be illuminated by neon lights, with the colours varying according to a slow rhythm, which is still to be determined, according
to the days of the week or particular events. As well as being representative, decorative and abstract, the artist's proposal is characterised by its playfulness, its apparent simplicity and dynamism.
("J" on the map)
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click to enlarge (pdf 1.2 Mo)
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