UPDATE: Supposedly the horse fell from one of the straps and ended up “hanging from its neck” causing further controversy in Geneva. Although the gallery has not made mention of such incident, today 10 April Zabriskie Point has decided that the installation has “caused reactions of such violence that the team decided to remove the offending piece from its exhibit.” 

Hanging horse at Geneva gallery – Photo Zabriskie Point

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A horse, or to be more precise, a hanging horse, is making some Genevans a little bit uncomfortable.

Pedestrians walking by the Plainpalais area can freely view a taxidermic horse exhibited at The Zabriskie Point Gallery, suspended by leather slings from the ceiling.

The gallery is a small, glassed-in room located in the heart of the area.

The artists in charge of the exhibit, Maya Boesch and Régis Golay, say the display, called ”War Horse”, seeks to highlight the ever increasing “precariousness of the cultural world.”

Art exhibit Kaltwaser Koberling at Zabriskie Point – Photo provided by the gallery

The art space is well known for holding outdoor exhibit openings that mix guests and passersby.

The War Horse will be on display until the end of May.

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Swiss Film Awards nominees celebrate ©EddyMotion

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - This week catch all the movies nominated for the Swiss Film Awards 2013 at the Grutli Theater for only CHF5 a movie; then attend the Swiss equivalent of the Oscars’ in one of the most beautiful buildings in Geneva, the Batiment de Forces Motrices.

Organizers say “originality, bravery, poetry and social commentary characterize the films selected for the [2013] Swiss Film Awards,” which will take place on 23 March in Geneva.

The QUARTZ Swiss Film Awards  - as it is officially known – takes place in a different city each year.

The awards are not only a way to recognize national talent, but also a means to promote Swiss filmmakers; the nominees receive between CHF5,000 and CHF25,000 each.

Among the nominees are Swiss heavyweights Ursula Meier, shortlisted as the Swiss entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2013 Oscar’s Academy Awards and Markus Imhoof, nominated for the same award in 1981. 

The movies can be viewed at the Grutli from 19-25 March.

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Le Labyrinthe modern dance at the TPG bus depot in Geneva Photo Antigel Festival ©Xavier Ripolles

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – It’s mid-winter, time to stray-off the beaten path, time to “blur the boundaries between art forms, and open up new artistic horizons”, at least that is how the Antigel arts festival describes its programme.

The prime Geneva alternative festival seeks to bring the performing arts onto alternative stages: hammams, top of buildings, under bridges, bus depots, vineyards and construction sites – to name but a few - in 20 communes in the canton.

At the Bains de Paquis – Photo Antigel Jean-Christophe ARAV

Boucing Universe in a Bulk by Eric Arnal Burtschy – Photo Antigel ©Jean-Christophe Arav

The festival can only be described as alternative Geneva at its best.

Shows for everyone, including families with kids.

Yearly from late January to early February.

Hurry, the 2013 season ends 10 February.

Dancing at a construction site – Photo Artgenève Antigel Xavier Ripolles

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Plenty of good reasons to learn Italian, starting with the fact it is so close to Geneva, and so gorgeous!

GINEVRA, SVIZZERA – As of late, I’m on an Italian kick that I just can’t shake off. Thanks to a Geneva organization I can now narrow my search for pesce and … Italian culture in Ginevra.

CulturaItalia – sans frontierès is a Geneva-based club promoting Italian culture in the area. Since 2005, the non-profit organization has been hosting a series of events, from cine-clubs to food fests to promote a bit of Italianness in town.

Their latest activity is an “Aperò Letterario” or weekly book club meeting.

The club is a great mix of locals and expats and a great way to meet local leaders. One of the club supporters is none other than former Geneva-mayor Sandrine Salerno.

While I welcome learning more about Italian culture I have to admit that I can’t wait to ask those in the know about their recommendation for a perfect Italian meal in town. Mmm, mmm, buono!

Visit the CulturaItalia website also available in French and English.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The Verbier classical music festival camp is now open for talented musicians -sixty young instrumentalists to be exact- aged 15 to 17.

The orchestral programme which will take place for the first time in Verbier, from 7 to 28 July 2013, is an opportunity for young musicians to hone their skills and make a transition from students to professionals.

Music Director Daniel Harding and Verbier orchestra alumni will teach the camp.

Programme’s video presentation

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rA6iPLVOFM&feature=share&list=UUEWf_RehRvemTB75KT5u8Jg[/youtube]

Applications are now available on the Festival’s website.

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[Avoid the rain and see the Faces of Geneva with Josh Fassbind himself, today 30 September at 15:00 at Maison Tavel]

On the other side of the lens, Josh Fassbind is these days the center of much media attention – Photo Geneva Art and History Museum

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A new photo exhibit at Maison Tavel promises to introduce you to the many Faces of Geneva, foreign faces that is, as captured by one of Geneva’s own, Josh Fassbind.

Fassbind, a half-Swiss, half-American Geneva-born photographer says his style brings together “Old Europe’s precision and tradition with America’s fresh and easy-going style.”

I confess, I have been a closet fan of his for sometime. I first came across his excellent work serendipitously through GenevaLunch’s flickr photo group, to which he often contributes. Then – as many things go these days – he started following GenevaLiving on Twitter and I started following him.

Through social media I discovered Fassbind is an avid traveler and have followed his travel photo blogs; heard about his wedding -he got married almost a year ago- and found out his birthday is 26 June. Read more…

LANCY, CANTON GENEVA – There is giant “Hole” at Villa Bernasconi in Lancy, canton Geneva: “Le Trou“. Such is the name of the exhibit that gathers several artists whose interpretation of  “the space between” take visitors through abstract spaces.

Because art is better seen than explained, see below what we are talking about. The video created by local TV station Leman Blue includes some of the interesting performance art showcased during the exhibit.

Exhibit runs daily to 16 September, from 12:00 to 18:00 with a cash bar on the weekend. And, did I say it is free?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3tLTUQQnf4[/youtube]

Part of Le Trou exhibit in Lancy - Photo, Dylan Perrenoud/Villa Bernasconi

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Sean Penn at the Zurich Film Festival, Photo ZFF

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The Zurich Film Festival which begins in Switzerland’s largest city on 20 September, is gearing up to showcase some Hollywood heavy-hitters: John Travolta, Susan Sarandon, Oliver Stone and Richard Gere to name a few.

The full programme won’t be released until 6 September; however, organizers have announced that Gere will receive the Golden Icon Award while Travolta, who will be joined by Oliver Stone during the festival’s opening night, will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Previous award recipients include Sean Penn and Roman Polanski.

The festival, which runs from 20 to 30 September, is looking for volunteers. If interested register online or email: reno.mueller@zff.com.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Finding something to do on Sundays in Geneva and surrounding areas seems to be the perennial conundrum for many expats (and a few locals too) who find the area a bit tame on the weekends. Allow me the pleasure then, to bring you a selection of some of the most fun and interesting activities in the Lake Geneva region, and beyond.

Swinging in the outdoors

Just visit the Events page of GenevaLunch where I have posted an eclectic collection of what-to-do-on-Sundays, from antique fairs and flea markets to hiking and Nordic walking.

I hope you enjoy the list and happy Sunday everyone!

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