The Swiss Embassy’s booth is located at the central area of the fair and focuses on the theme of identity, narrative, and symbolism. Swiss artist Miriam Laura Leonardi was specially invited to create a new series of installations through a multi-layered approach that integrates literature, visual art, and digital media. The installation explores the legend of William Tell, Switzerland’s national hero and features four components: take-away posters inspired by contrasting portrayals of Tell in literary works, porcelain plates from China’s Jingdezhen with exploded wax apples, real apples engraved with laser-cut targets, and a QR code in the form of a target on the wall, which will open an AR program that places an apple on people’s heads. Through these pieces, the artist reinterprets the highly symbolic motif of the apple, merging it with everyday objects and reassigning its function. In doing so, she invites the audience to reflect on the deeper questions of myth, historical narrative, and the nature of truth.
Leonardi is a Swiss artist active on the international art scene. Her work has been exhibited in cities such as Zurich, Paris, New York, and Milan, and she will represent Switzerland at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Her conceptual practice explores the relationship between language, media, and identity, combining critical thinking with poetry and humour.
The Swiss booth is not only a focused showcase of Swiss cultural identity, but also an active expression of Switzerland’s public diplomacy in the field of art. Through direct engagement with Chinese audiences, the Embassy of Switzerland hopes to further expand the space for dialogue between the two countries during this special anniversary year. ‘Over the years, our bilateral relationship has grown across many fields – from politics to trade and innovation, from science to education and, of course, culture. Art has the power to reflect, to challenge, and to connect – and that’s exactly what we hope to do here,” Ms. Delli said at the opening ceremony.
Switzerland plays an important role in the global contemporary art scene. As the birthplace of Art Basel, one of the world’s most influential art fairs, Switzerland boasts a dynamic and internationally connected art ecosystem. Cities such as Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne are home to cutting-edge museums, art academies, and independent spaces that foster both experimentation and critical inquiry. Swiss contemporary art is widely recognized for its conceptual rigor, multilingual expression, and cross-disciplinary approach.
As one of China’s leading contemporary art fairs, Beijing Dangdai is not only a key trendsetter in the art world but also an important platform for cultural exchange. The fair runs from May 22 through May 25, during which the Swiss Embassy will host a series of guided tours and public engagement events at its booth. Visitors are warmly welcome to attend.
