Neon Parallax, Public Art Project in Geneva will host new works by Ann Veronica Janssens, Pierre Bismuth and Christian Robert-Tissot
Results of the contests for the continuation of the Neon Parallax Project on the Plaine de Plainpalais in Geneva
The Funds for Contemporary Art of the City and the Canton of Geneva will finalize one of the most ambitious projects of public art ever realised. Three new neon signs designed by Ann Veronica Janssens, Pierre Bismuth and Christian Robert-Tissot have been chosen as a result of a contest by invitation, a public contest and a direct order.These three works complete an artistic project initiated in 2006 which already has six installations by Sylvie Fleury (CH), Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster (F), Nic Hess (CH), Christian Jankowski (D), Jérôme Leuba (CH) and Sislej Xhafa (AL). The inauguration of the three additional signs, as well as an exhibition, a symposium on public art and a publication, will take place in March 2012.
The selection process of this fourth phase took place through three orders and competitions of different nature:
A contest by invitation in which six artists took part: Stefan Bruggemann (MX), Martin Creed (UK), Ann Veronica Janssens (B), Mathieu Mercier (F), Gianni Motti (CH), and Mai Thu Perret (CH). The jury, composed of international professionals from the contemporary art world, selected the project of Ann Veronica Janssens entitled “L’odrre n’a pas improtncae.”
A public contest in which some 189 artists participated. The jury chose the project of Pierre Bismuth (F) entitled “Coming soon!.”
Finally, a direct order was commissioned by Pierre Darier, a private banker, with the artist Christian Robert-Tissot (CH) for the roof of the bank Lombard Odier.
So a total of nine signs will be located on the perimeter of the Plaine de Plainpalais in Geneva. This is the first time in the world that so many works have been commissioned for a city square, forming an open air exhibition. The works will be visible simultaneously from the centre of the square starting in spring 2012, and for a period of at least ten years.
Neon Parallax is designed and produced by the Funds for Contemporary Art of the City and the Canton of Geneva, in partnership with the proprietors of the buildings on which the works are placed.
For more information: www.neons.ch
Fonds municipal d’art contemporain (FMAC), Michèle Freiburghaus
rue des Bains 34, 1205 Genève T +41 (0)22 418 45 30, fmac@ville-ge.ch
Fonds cantonal d’art contemporain (FCAC), Diane Daval
Sentier des Saules 3, 1205 Genève, T +41 (0)22 546 63 80, fcac@etat.ge.ch
Image above:
Copyright Ann Veronica Janssens.
