{"id":13169,"date":"2026-02-19T17:59:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/13169\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T17:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:59:08","slug":"why-a-barn-in-the-swiss-ski-resort-of-gstaad-got-1000-office-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/13169\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a Barn in the Swiss Ski Resort of Gstaad Got 1,000 Office Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

The third edition of the art fair known as MAZE Art Gstaad<\/a> officially kicks off today in the idyllic ski town in the Swiss alps. Unlike the hustle and bustle of the various outposts of Frieze or any of the Basels, MAZE is an intentionally quieter affair, intended to attract wealthy collectors of fine arts, high jewelry, rare books, and exquisite antique furniture. This year\u2019s tightly curated lineup of exhibitors includes an international coterie of galleries (White Cube, Pace, Thaddeus Ropac); adornments (Greek jeweler Nikos Koulis\u2019s 15-carat diamond brooch, anyone?); and purveyors of limited edition works (publisher JRP Editions).<\/p>\n

Among the standout attractions is a luminous installation nestled in an unassuming wooden barn. Step inside and the space is immediately ablaze with 250 office-style light fixtures, each holding four tubes\u20141,000 tubes total. The converted space is the work of Alexandre de Betak<\/a>, an artist with a prolific background in fashion show production who is known for exploring lighting as sculpture and architecture.<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Lighting designer Alexandre de Betak inside his installation for this year\u2019s MAZE Art Gstaad art fair. Jack Orton<\/p>\n

This particular project came together remarkably quickly. \u201cWe found the barn just a month ago,\u201d de Betak says over email. \u201cI tend to work fast on the projects I realize, so it\u2019s exciting to see it fully come to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside the barn, which de Betak said reminded him of traditional Japanese structures known as kominkas, the designer arranged the space with lights and mirrors that resulted in a trippy kaleidoscopic effect. \u201cMy goal is always to respect the environment and adapt the installation to it,\u201d says de Betak. \u201cIn this project, the environment isn\u2019t just a backdrop but an integral part of the artwork itself, shaping its spatial structure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Interior<\/p>\n

Jack Orton<\/p>\n

A welcoming cocktail reception, held earlier this week, was hosted by Gagosian artist Setsuko Klossowska de Rola<\/a>, a friend of de Betak\u2019s who also happens to live nearby. \u201cI have known her for a long time, and since she partly lives here, it felt only natural for her to bless the space,\u201d says de Betak.<\/p>\n

For the luxe crowd attending the fair, we can\u2019t imagine a more peaceful setting to sit back and take in the surroundings.<\/p>\n

\"Interior<\/p>\n

Jack Orton<\/p>\n

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