In a fascinating evolution of his artistic journey, acclaimed director Alexandre de Betak has transplanted his innovative light display to an unexpected setting. Following his recent immersive London exhibition, which marked a new chapter in his career after years in fashion production, Betak now presents an installation that continues to explore the interplay of light and space. This current project, situated in a venerable Swiss barn, transforms a utilitarian structure into a realm of contemplative wonder, challenging perceptions and celebrating the unexpected harmony of disparate elements.
Alexandre de Betak's "Chashitsu Hikari Schürli" Installation Illuminates Swiss Barn
In the picturesque Bernese Oberland, artistic director Alexandre de Betak has unveiled his latest thought-provoking creation, "Chashitsu Hikari Schürli," as part of Maze Art Gstaad 2026. This installation, which debuted four months after his acclaimed show in London, repurposes the same modular light panels within the rustic confines of a traditional Swiss barn. The juxtaposition of modern, geometric light elements against the weathered timber walls and functional design of the barn creates a striking visual and conceptual dialogue.
De Betak's work draws a deliberate connection between the highly refined Japanese tea ceremony room (chashitsu) and the humble Alpine farm shed (schürli). Despite their cultural differences, both architectural forms embody principles of material authenticity and efficient construction. Through his installation, de Betak seeks not to replicate these styles, but to abstract their core tenets, allowing visitors to engage with the underlying philosophy of each.
The barn's interior is meticulously arranged with light panels and mirrors, which dynamically fracture and expand the existing architecture. This thoughtful placement creates an illusion of shifting spaces, at times doubling perspectives, skewing proportions, and challenging the viewer's sense of orientation. The barn's horizontal timber slats provide a rhythmic backdrop, their raw texture complemented by the luminous, ribbed glow of the light panels. Natural light, filtering through gaps in the structure, bathes the scene in a muted palette of wood, white, and silver, evoking a serene atmosphere that seemingly blends the surrounding snowy landscape with the artwork itself.
In this installation, de Betak masterfully employs light as a fundamental building material, leveraging its ability to reflect, absorb, and multiply. The experience is designed to be interactive, with the artwork transforming as visitors navigate the space, fostering a heightened awareness of their movement and presence within the environment. This approach aligns with de Betak's previous statements about moving beyond the 'objective' constraints of fashion events to embrace greater artistic freedom, where the goal is not a singular image, but a profound and immersive sensory experience.
Alexandre de Betak's latest work in the Swiss Alps offers a compelling meditation on tradition versus innovation and the transformative power of light. By recontextualizing cutting-edge artistic elements within a historical and functional setting, he invites us to reconsider our perceptions of space, purpose, and beauty. This fusion of the past and the future, the natural and the artificial, provides a refreshing perspective on how art can engage with its environment and evoke a deeper sense of presence and contemplation. It reminds us that true artistic expression often lies in the unexpected, in the spaces where boundaries blur and new meanings emerge.