The Verbier 3-D Foundation presents German artist Karsten Födinger as our 2019 artist-in-residence.
Realized through the engineering or construction techniques, the oeuvre of Födinger brings forth the role of the mechanics as a constitutional element of sculpture. His work reminds the viewer that it is such a genre that rigidly follows the law of physics. The architectonical fundamentals, such as the cantilever, the avalanche breaker, or the riverside reinforcements, are utilized as a language for one to reflect on the climatic, geographical uncertainties that grounds and un-grounds the current planetary condition.
The artist will be invited to consider the idea of reconstruction in relation to the aftermath of local destructive climatic events, such as the Giétroz Castrophe.
Birthing from the ‘Year Without Summer’, which belongs to a three-year period of severe climate deterioration of global scale starting in 1815 after the eruption of Mount Tambora, unforeseen chaotic and chilling weather caused many glaciers in Switzerland to increase in mass. The Giétroz Glacier in the Verbier region had advanced and loomed over the valley before continuous falling ice and avalanches caused a flood that swept through the Bagnes valley destroying everything in it’s path until Lake Geneva.
The Giétroz Catastrophe is one of the most famous and most disastrous historical events in the Swiss Alps related to climate change. Its folklore is embedded in the local history of the surrounding areas and recently resurrected due to it’s 200th anniversary.
During the residency, this historic event becomes fused with current debates on effects of the present-day period of amplified global warming – the Anthropocene.
The artist lived in Verbier for one month to develop new sculptural work related to these conversations.
During his 2017 residency with the Verbier 3-D Foundation, German artist Karsten Födinger immersed himself not only in the physical landscape of the Swiss Alps but also in the local culture and knowledge of the region. To deepen his understanding of the environment and further inform his project 'Pilier Erratique', Födinger met with a range of locals, including diviners, nature guides, and construction workers, who shared insights into both the traditional and modern practices of living and building in the mountains.
By consulting diviners—individuals known for their ability to locate water sources using intuitive techniques—Födinger tapped into the ancient, mystical relationship that locals have with the land. This interaction allowed him to consider the unseen and spiritual aspects of the landscape, which influenced his perception of the natural forces at play beneath the surface.
Födinger also worked with nature guides, who provided him with valuable knowledge about the geology, flora, and fauna of the region. These guides helped him explore the delicate balance between the harsh Alpine environment and the human communities that live within it. Their expertise on the movement of glaciers, the erratic boulders, and the natural rhythms of the mountain informed the artist's creative process, particularly in relation to the geological themes in his work.
In addition, Födinger studied local construction techniques, paying close attention to how communities build resilient structures in such a challenging environment. The methods of building in Verbier, where architecture must withstand both the elements and the ever-present possibility of natural disasters like avalanches and landslides, influenced his approach to 'Pilier Erratique'. By understanding these techniques, Födinger was able to reflect on the tension between human engineering and nature’s unpredictable forces, a central theme in his sculptural work.
Through these diverse interactions, Födinger wove together local traditions, geological knowledge, and construction expertise, creating a work that was deeply connected to the environment. His residency in Verbier allowed him to expand his practice by integrating the lived experience and wisdom of the region into 'Pilier Erratique', a piece that explores the fragile, yet enduring relationship between human structures and the natural world.
An accompanying photographic 5km walk from Croix de Coeur to Ruinettes was developed with the artist Karsten Födinger and curator Alexa Jeanne Kusber as a visual journey into the artist’s influences and artistic practice for developing the work during the residency.
This parallel exhibition acts as a background study for the public to further increase the understanding and to be able to engage deeper with the work in the Sculpture Park.
Images provided by the artist.
