The Summit

map of Europe

In Switzerland and its neighbouring countries - Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Lichtenstein - the Atelier für Sonderaufgaben (Atelier for Special Functions), Swiss artists and twin brothers, Frank and Patrik Riklin, identified the smallest politically autonomous municipalities.
Between 2002 and 2005 they visited the village presidents of Gramais (A), Corippo (CH), Ornes (F), Reussenköge (GER), Morterone (I) and Planken, LI. Accompanying them in their daily business provided an insight into complex political and social fabrics on a small scale. 

mount Kamor, arrival of guests

In collaboration with the protagonists, discoveries were documented
and some events were staged. At the end of each visit, the village presidents of these 6 smallest political entities were invited to attend a Summit on Mount Kamor in Appenzell, near the city of St.Gallen, Switzerland, in 2005.
Several camera crews documented the journeys of the village presidents to the Summit, using different means of transportation.  

group portrait on the peak

The Summit was not a historical event, nor a multinational economic/political statement. The focus was on an alliance of the smallest. The language of approved signs of power and mediatisation was used to re-interpret political representation. 

commemorative plaque in landscape

The Summit meeting itself was closed to the public. No minutes are available. The content is left to the fictional imagination. There is just a commemorative plaque on top of Mount Kamor in remembrance of the occasion of the Summit. 

map indicating the 6 smallest political entities in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Mount Kamor, CH

text by Rayelle Niemann, 2010
photographs by Stefan Rohner, 2005
map by Frank and Patrik Riklin 

FEATURED THEME ON CITY SHARING

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