San Antonio, 1968: “The bird of contention”

by Thomas Kadelbach

Thomas Kadelbach, né en 1979. Après des études d'histoire et littérature française à Angers, Fribourg et Madrid, il collabore au projet de recherche FNS Les relations culturelles internationales de la Suisse, 1945-1990. Thèse de doctorat sur Pro Helvetia et l'image de la Suisse à l'étranger. Actuellement collaborateur scientifique à l'Université de Neuchâtel.
, Thomas Kadelbach, born in 1979. Studied history and French literature in Angers, Fribourg and Madrid. Research assistant in the SNSF research project Switzerland's International Cultural Relations, 1945-1990. PhD thesis on Pro Helvetia and the image of Switzerland abroad. Currently scientific collaborator at the University of Neuchâtel.

Folklore
United States
democracy

During the summer of 1968, Switzerland took part in HemisFair in San Antonio, the first world’s fair ever in Texas, organised with the intention to celebrate the shared cultural heritage of the Americas and to reaffirm the links to other continents. The composition of the Swiss Pavilion, result of a collaboration between Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Office for Trade, opted for a humorous approach, apt to appeal to the American public.

The centrepiece was a giant metal bird, in the style of Tinguely, gliding around in the middle of the pavilion, gently flapping its wings. It was steered by William Tell who surveyed the surroundings with a telescope. Its passenger was none other than Jean-Jacques Rousseau. A large mural in the playful style of comics and Pop Art, illustrating Switzerland’s history throughout the ages, covered the pavilion’s inner wall.

Conceived by René Creux, a designer from the canton of Vaud, the overall composition intended to show a familiar image of Switzerland from an unusual perspective. According to Pro Helvetia’s press service, the presentation combined preservation of the past and dynamic progress. Although the Swiss pavilion did not challenge traditional values, the relaxed way in which the main national symbols were treated gave rise to criticism from the Swiss abroad, whose point of view was often met with sympathy by diplomatic representatives.

In San Antonio, even the head of the Swiss pavilion was indignant about the form his country’s contribution had taken: The Swiss pavilion has unfortunately exceeded our worst fears, it’s a shame that no one seems to have understood even the main focus (…) instead a hotchpotch was served which probably no one liked safe for (…) the gentlemen of Pro Helvetia.

In addition to the giant bird, the supporting programme also caused controversy. While the Swiss embassy in Washington planned to celebrate the National holiday on the 1st of August by inviting a traditional folk group from the Swiss Colony in New York, Pro Helvetia’s Secretary General Luc Boissonnas protested against such a choice. He thought it was not at all in keeping with the spirit of openness the Foundation had intended to display at the Swiss pavilion. Instead, he proposed a performance of Dimitri the clown. In the United States, Pro Helvetia’s protests were ignored.

The Swiss participation in HemisFair illustrated the breakdown of consensus over the self-portrayal Switzerland wanted to present to the world. Similar conflicts erupted in the course of many Swiss cultural events abroad, as for example about the presentation of Switzerland at the 1992 World Fair in Seville. Finally, it fell to Presence Switzerland, the Confederation’s public relations agency, founded in 2000, to design the Swiss pavilions destined for international exhibitions. Pro Helvetia was left to arrange only the supporting programmes.(tk)

Archives
AFS E2003 (A) 1980/85, Vol. 326

medias

HemisFair, San Antonio 1968

Poster of the exhibition at HemisFair, 1968

Swiss National Library, poster collection

The cradle of democracy

Die Schweizer Demokratie besteht schon 1291. Mural, Swiss pavilion at HemisFair, 1968.

Pro Helvetia Archives

"Switzerland sets the measure"

The Swiss contribution to the World exhibition HemisFair is presented under the motto In the world of time, Switzerland sets the measure.

Pro Helvetia Archives

Building the pavilion

Preparing the murals for the Swiss pavilion in San Antonio.

Pro Helvetia Archives

The bird of contention

The giant bird, created by René Creux, sparks controversy about the image of Switzerland abroad. It is the most important exhibit in the Swiss pavilion in San Antonio.

Pro Helvetia Archives

Touristic Switzerland

Pro Helvetia offers the visitors of HemisFair a booklet about Switzerland. Réne Creux‘ illustrations present the usual clichés about Switzerland in a humorous manner.

Swiss Federal Archives E 2003 (A) 1980/85, Vol. 326

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