Maison d’Ailleurs

In September 2009, three naked wax figures outside Yverdon railway station caused something of an outcry, which induced the municipal authorities to retract the permission for Heike Schildhauer’s exhibition after only five days. The outdoor exhibition had been initiated by Visarte-Vaud with the intention of putting it on display in all Vaudois towns that had shown an interest in a new cantonal art museum.

The ensuing polemics prompted Pro Helvetia to organise a public debate. Does anything go, or are there limits to what can be shown in public spaces? How can artists provoke a reaction from people without shocking them?

This was the topic of debate on 26 November at Maison d’Ailleurs in Yverdon...