THE SOIL IS RICH WITHIN US | CHALET AFRICAN

GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND

DECEMBER 2024

Activist Nachson Mimran & architect Francis Kéré have joined forces to disrupt the local vernacular in Gstaad, reimagining two classic chalets as vessels for contemporary innovation. Mimran, a free-spirited activist working at the intersection of climate science and refugee empowerment ( to.org.) grew up between West Africa and Switzerland, and has dedicated himself to creating spaces for culture and connection within displaced communities. Kéré, awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2022 has designed schools in rural Burkina Faso, where he was born along with multiple public buildings across Africa. With Mimran as the project creative director, they created a private residence that is more than a home ——- the project is intended as a catalyst for cultural exchange, foregrounding the work of artists, designers, and makers from around the world with a particular emphasis on Africa and the African diaspora.

‣ THE SOIL IS RICH WITHIN US, 2024.

Rammed earth, bronze, ceramic, iroko wood, marble

About This Project

Lina Iris Viktor created a site-specific multimedia installation —— The Soil is Rich Within Us, comprised of 15 sculptures within rammed-earth niches, each a testament to the interplay between chalet architecture and traditional African craftsmanship. Responding to the inherent qualities of chalet design, blended raw materials sourced from both the space itself and the rich tradition of West African pottery-making and wood-carving, creating a dialogue that brings geographical boundaries closer.