1 CHF = 1 VOICE
A political artistic intervention that focuses on the situation of illegalised persons in Switzerland
Shedhalle Gallery (Rote Fabric) Zürich, Switzerland. Exhibition “Work To Do! Self-organisation In Precarious Working Conditions” curators Katharina Schlieben & Sonke Gau, September 2007. – December 2008.
HF = 1 VOICE is a political artistic intervention by which Andreja Kulunčić responds to the invitation of curator Shedhalle from Zurich. The theme of the exhibition was self-organization in precarious work conditions, therefore the artist invites illegalised Swiss immigrants* – people who live without proper documents to participate in the current renovation of the Swiss Parliament building by donating one franc. The symbolic gesture of the donation is actually their act of speaking up, of pointing out their own existence in a society that does not recognize them, and which they maintain daily with their work.
The collection of money was preceded by a public call to Sans-Papiers immigrants to anonymously participate in the donation through a months-long media campaign through a large digital display at Zurich’s main station, posters in public spaces, newspaper ads and leaflets, which sensitized the public, and a parallel silent campaign — direct appeal illegalised persons who were often reached through hidden channels — the goal of which was not only to invite participation but also to empower disenfranchised persons for political dialogue with government representatives.
The Parliament accepted to receive the collected money, but two hours before the public act of handing over the donation, it withdrew its decision. The collected amount is today in the account of SPAZ (Center for illegalised persons, Zurich) waiting for a government that will be more open to illegalised workers in Switzerland.
* activists estimate that around 300,000 people live illegally, that is, without valid documents in Switzerland. The “official” number is 80,000 people.