Salon Suisse: Ataraxia

Salon Suisse presents Ataraxia, a Collateral Event running simultaneously with the Switzerland Pavilion. Organized by the Swiss Art Council Pro Helvetia in collaboration with RAW Materials Company, the Salon is directed by Koyo Kouoh with the partnership of LAUFEN, aiming to encourage an international dialogue in the fields of art and architecture.

Ataraxia, far from the ideas of antipathy, apathy or indifference, is a term used to define nowadays sociopathic person within us that slows indignation. “Ataraxia” has the goal to comprehend the place occupied by Switzerland in the current economic, political, scientific, and cultural European context and to reflect on its post-colonial narratives, considering that Switzerland position embodies paradoxes of political standards.

“Ataraxia”’s framework takes inspiration from the collection of essays “Mythologies” by Roland Barthes analyzing the gap between the Switzerland common idea of a country without problems and its real situation. Switzerland, as Venice, is a small and idealized place acting within a larger context (that could be the Biennale as Europe). For this reason Venice is the perfect location for Ataraxia because it allows to Switzerland to be transposed into Venice, sharing with the Italian city this double image and seeking the same equilibrium between economy and ecology.

The exhibitions is, to conclude, the occasion and the manner with whom Switzerland and Swiss cultural institutions reflect about their heritage and position as key to develop new forms of responsibility.

Salon Suisse consist in a series of talks and events taking place over the course of three week ends. Each salon will start at 6.30pm.

Salon One (Opening Event): May 11, 2017
Salon Two: Aug 31 –Sep 2, 2017
Salon Three: Oct 19 – 21, 2017
Salon Four: Nov 23 – 25, 2017

Salonnière: Koyo Kouoh

Co-Salonniers:
Samuel Leuenberger (independent curator),
Lìvia Pàldi (curator),
Rasha Salti (curator, writer and researcher)
Farid Rakun (researcher and artist)

Collaborating institution: RAW Material Company, Dakar.

Partner: LAUFEN Bathrooms AG