«Over the past ten years, I’ve travelled around the world a lot. And it doesn’t matter where I go: as soon as I say that I live in Switzerland, everyone immediately has a very clear idea of what Switzerland looks like,» says the German photographer Patrick Lambertz of his encounters with the stereotypical views which many people have of Switzerland. These range from luxury cars to cheese fondue and lead ineluctably to the romantic châlets of Heidi’s idyllic mountain world. Lambertz found this interesting, as his experience of everyday Switzerland is much more nuanced. More down-to earth and authentic, in fact, than these imaginings would suggest. When he turned his attention to the well-established cliché of the Swiss châlet, Patrick Lambertz discovered that the word – derived from the Latin cala – actually just means a «sheltered place», i.e. a hut or the like. Four years ago, that’s how his project began.
Everything started with Châlet #1, which he came across – and he always has his camera at the ready – during a walk through the wintry landscape of the Canton of Schwyz. It was the solution to his problem: to reveal and document the inner beauty and charm of these houses which he found so striking, houses which dot the landscape and are clustered at the edges of villages. They are in some cases dilapidated and often not made of wood – and thereby fail to measure up to the commonly-held cliché. In this snowbound house in Oberegg under its cloudy sky, he had found the solution to the implementation of his project: «This is the way to do it. This is how I want to showcase these houses.» Nature becomes the studio; the snow and the weather generate a soft light. Using this technique, he causes the châlets to emerge from their background. Nothing distracts the viewer’s gaze, and a deliberate focus is provided. Patrick Lambertz doesn’t allow himself the freedom of computerised post-processing. The houses remain authentic, merely «freed» from distractions. In this way, characteristics which would otherwise have remain unseen are revealed. The meditative mood which Patrick Lambertz experiences on his lonely wanderings is brought out in his pictures. They become a refuge from everyday life, not just for him, but for the viewer as well.
It didn’t take long for the photographs in the Châlet Series to become a great success. Articles have been appearing all around the world, and collectors have queued up to buy the limited editions of the pictures which have been shown in a whole array of exhibitions. The viewer is moved, feels a connection to what is depicted and discovers a subtle irony along with some political aspects. The pictures matter, they don’t leave you cold: they force you to take a stance. Even though the Châlet Series is far from over – there are thirty images so far, and ninety are planned, to be turned into a book – Patrick Lambertz is already working on a new series which will further intensify his approach. With«Architektur der Jagd» («The Architecture of the Hunt»), he takes up an archaic theme in the history of humanity, a theme which triggers a wide variety of reactions: nostalgic childhood memories or associations with hunting stands. Some feel that they are being provoked, critical questions are discussed, the spotlight is turned on the many aspects of hunting and its social elements. The deep meaning in the photographs of Patrick Lambertz is also to be found in his new series. For our anniversary edition, Patrick Lambertz has provided an exclusive preview.
