Abgeriegelt

Since the Spanish flu, there has been no more significant global event of this magnitude than the Corona pandemic. Literally overnight, freedoms that were taken for granted were restricted, including in Switzerland. In a country where interaction with neighbors has a long tradition, where national borders feel like they exist only on paper, and where cross-border traffic is an economically relevant factor, the near-total isolation presents a particular challenge. Furthermore, the centuries-old Swiss belief in inviolability has been profoundly and comprehensively shaken by this global threat. Jan Sulzer has documented the absurdly appearing, suddenly emerged, sometimes massive and sometimes improvised border barriers of Switzerland with its neighboring countries. His photographic interest also lies in the architectural aspect and the resulting aesthetics: the barriers resemble installations in public spaces, sometimes more, sometimes less integrated into their surroundings, constructed in different ways with various materials. They are barricades on roads, in front gardens, through residential areas, on bridges, and in front of bus stops, even barriers on the smallest forest paths – the understandable need for protection from a life-threatening disease collides with bureaucratic regulations. The images serve as a memorial to a situation that hopefully will not repeat itself anytime soon.