ON A DELICATE MISSION
Tales of Swiss Diplomacy
Landesmuseum Zurich
May 16 – September 16, 2007
exhibition
Diplomats work in the service of a nation; they represent and communicate their country’s interests. Diplomacy helps to reduce tensions between peoples and is a countermeasure against war and the violation of human rights.
The history of Swiss diplomacy is part of the country’s interior politics and its foreign relations. It sheds light on successful – and less successful – crisis management through the ages and on changes in the interpretation of Swiss neutrality.
Diplomats have always had to handle delicate situations. What these missions were, what turning points the history of diplomacy led up to, and what the future demands on diplomacy may look like – all this forms the subject matter of the exhibition.
Along six exhibition points the visitor is led from the beginnings of Swiss diplomatic history in the 17th century up to current developments. Numerous objects, historical gala uniforms and costumes, paintings and caricatures make history come alive. Current developments and institutions are documented by photographs of embassies, furniture from the Foreign Office, letters of accreditation, clothes, accessories and numerous further exhibits. Video interviews with ambassadors abroad and at home round up the visit, shedding light on the activities, the daily work and the future expectations of foreign and Swiss diplomats.
The exhibition rolls out a red carpet for the story of Swiss diplomacy. The historical part is covered by white tissue, thus highlighting the central installation, a diplomats’ dinner. Towering above the white veil, Ferdinand Hodler’s paintings remind the visitor of the battle at Marignano, the era before Swiss diplomacy.
Along with «On a Delicate Mission. Tales of Swiss Diplomacy» the Landesmuseum Zurich presents the side-show «Excellences, Exzellenzen. Ambassadors and diplomats in Switzerland», a diploma-winning photographic exhibition by Thomas Adank und Florian Joye of the Ecole cantonale d’art Lausanne (ECAL).
Photos from the exhibition
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Photos of the opening
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