Denise Bertschi, State Fiction

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Exploring the limits of archival materials

The notion of borders and the role of neutrality in the construction of the Swiss identity narrative are central to Denise Bertschi’s work. From her point of view, being neutral is a complex and fragile state. In State Fiction: Neutral Only on the Outside, she focuses on the role of Switzerland in the neutral military mission to observe the ceasefire between the two Koreas. Following her travels in the region, she immersed herself in the Korea collection of the Library Am Guisanplatz in Bern, consulting images and films captured by Swiss military personnel. She discovered unexpected photographs of everyday life: personnel eating meals and meeting local communities, as well as pictures of the surrounding landscapes. Through a film, a photography book and a series of flags, State Fiction exploits this archival material while simultaneously questioning its limits. Bertschi continued her exploration for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. Working with historian Daniel Palmieri, she delved into the ICRC archives. There, she discovered objects and first-hand accounts from delegate Jean Courvoisier, who was active in Korea in 1952. These items, which are presented in a display case, document the complex, multifaceted relationship between personal narratives and collective history.

This work is presented as part of the exhibition A FRAGILE BALANCE, from 9 November 2022 to 12 March 2023.

Credits

Denise Bertschi, State Fiction. © Tristan Savoy (CCS Paris). International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

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