Chalet. Nostalgia, kitsch and Baukultur

What exactly is a chalet? Is it simply a symbol of longing for Alpine nature – an invented concept, a myth? From 10 March to 30 June 2023, the Swiss National Library NL presents the exhibition “Chalet. Nostalgia, kitsch and Baukultur” in cooperation with DAS GELBE HAUS FLIM. Switzerland has a love affair with its chalets. Foreign visitors also associate their short-term stays during skiing and hiking trips with the charm of these small wooden houses. But what exactly is a chalet? Are there particular features that make a cosy wooden cabin a “chalet”? Is it the wide overhanging roof? The geraniums in front of the windows? The carved roof beams? Or is the chalet simply a symbol of longing for Alpine nature – an invented concept, a myth? The more precisely one tries to define a chalet, the fuzzier its boundaries become. In the exhibition “Chalet”, the NL takes you on a tongue-in-cheek, educational and entertaining journey that explores this quintessentially Swiss phenomenon from three angles: nostalgia, kitsch and Baukultur. The exhibition shows how the chalet has become a romanticised image of nostalgia. It traces the path of the Laubsägeli-style chalet as it became a popular export and miniature souvenir. It also presents current buildings that freely interpret the concept of a chalet. Guided tour with the curator (in German) 2 May 2023, 5.30 p.m. Podcast Background information and interesting insights on the exhibition in “Gegensprecher”, the NL’s podcast (in German).

Picture: Key visual of the “Chalet” exhibition (Design: Gasser, Derungs)