Laurent Wolf

In Lausanne and its surroundings, we find a contemporary art gallery that exhibits internationally renowned artists (Alice Pauli), another that presents artists on the verge of breaking into international renown (Lucy Mackintosh), and an exhibition space managed by young artists whose career is already well established (Circuit). The city also has a strong art school and a reasonable number of collectors of note. All that is missing for it to become an art metropolis, or a micro-metropolis seeing that we are in Switzerland and the closest competitor is half-an-hour away, is an art fair, and – although a project for this is underway

– a heritage and contemporary art museum. Such hubs are tantamount for creators to produce and develop their work. In Switzerland, there is Zurich, Basel, Geneva, and maybe Lausanne, soon. Four centres seems disproportionate in comparison to our neighbours, but this micro-metropolis model has proven effective and successful – indeed the lake region has always been well represented at the Swiss Awards. In a time when travelling is so easy, artists are nomadic, and the Internet and globalisation characterise and transform our lives, the city and its backyard remain key. Come on Lausanne, you only have one last push – there is no harm in doing good to oneself.