Cabin Fever

Oh hello, 2021. How’s it going?

Beyond the news of the continuing global pandemic and being a bit on edge about attempted coups on US Congress, I’ve been aching to get out and do what I usually do on cold grey winter days — wander a museum or a gallery, and soak in a piece of artwork or learn about an historic period or discover a new contemporary artist. 

Sadly, the museums and galleries in Switzerland are set to remain shut until likely the end of February. Digital exhibitions and tours are a worthy activity to “visit” my favourite places, but let’s face it, it’s just not the same as being physically present in a gallery space, footsteps echoing, quiet murmurings of fellow visitors, a buzz of a security radio from the staff. 

In perusing photos on the museums and galleries that I did manage to visit in 2020, I stumbled upon these photos of Mirage Gstaad  which we visited in November. LA artist Doug Aitken’s open-air installation is situated on the walking path between the resort towns of Schönried and Gstaad in Canton Bern — a cabin covered in mirrors inside and out, reflecting the surrounding landscape and a feast for those seeking a cool insta-selfie shot in kaleidoscope patterns. 

This mirror house is on-site until March 2021, and the Elevation 1049 project installs a new work later in the year. It’s free to visit, masks are required.