Art is not a means to an end or decoration at the Hotel Schweizerhof, art is part of life and the works of art are more roommates than exhibits. They are discreet companions or stimulating counterparts, depending on your mood. In the new BergSpa and in the Hamam, several new favourite works find a suitable appearance.
The delicate paper installations "Minoshi Garden" by the well-known Swiss atelier oï give guests a poetic welcome as they enter. The folding objects in the shape of birds, reminiscent of Japanese origami, were already a hit during the redesign of the hotel lobby. In the reception area of the BergSpa, gracefully floating folded objects react to the finest air currents and movements. 31 flowers made of "Wahsi Pansion" Japanese paper swarm around each installation, playing with light and shadow and transforming the room into a graceful, delicately pulsating sea of blossoms. They intuitively guide the viewer's gaze to the two large-scale works by artist Mayo Bucher. The fascinating worlds of material and colour in warm, iridescent tones have been unfolding their soothing and relaxing effect since the opening of the hammam facility and have made their tried and tested appearance in a new place in the new BergSpa.
With the hypnotically playful video installation "Lucellino", the well-known Graubünden artist Zilla Leutenegger transports viewers into inner worlds. The swinging cone of light and the young woman playfully pushing a lamp have an almost meditative effect: calming, simultaneously static and yet in motion. Like thoughts wandering back and forth on their journey. The gentle movement of the woman synchronises the flow of time, making it visible and allowing it to disappear at the same time. A wonderful work by the famous contemporary artist, who is one of Switzerland's most versatile artists in terms of media and enchants everyone with her combinations of moving images, drawings and spatial elements.
The colourful, dazzling, large-format work by Olga Titus, who was named Graubünden Artist of the Year in spring 2022, is an opulent feast for the eyes. It clearly bears the colourful, interplaying signature of the multicultural artist with Swiss-Indian-Malaysian roots. The picture made of printed reversible sequins changes its appearance depending on the angle of view or the direction of the stroke and fascinates with its complexity. Intensely colourful and mysterious, it invites you into enchanted worlds and inspires you to ponder and dream, to enjoy and delight.
There are also two new art installations in the hamam itself. Portuguese sound artist and veterinary biologist Francisca Rocha Gonçalves has created two unique sound and video installations in the Sikaklik pool and the relaxation room, transporting visitors to an exotic underwater world that is not normally accessible to humans. The light installation Ripples in the Sikaklik bathing pool of the hamam creates colourful light reflections in the water and steam through movement in the water, creating a mystical underwater world. The guest becomes part of the installation and connects with the vital element of water. The installation "52 Hz" in the small relaxation room invites you to actively listen and watch. Low-frequency sounds from the soundscape of the oceans combined with the salty, aromatic surroundings relax the body. 52 Hz is the designation for a migrating sound signal behind which researchers suspect an unknown whale whose song is unusually high-pitched.
