Tea Garden, 2001, temporary installation, St. Johannspark, Basel

As part of the project “Local Time”, artists from various countries focused on time and place specific events in Basel’s St. Johanns district. Publication: “Tea garden” artist publishing, 2001.

The "Tea garden" project is based on the idea of taking a break, idleness and lingering. In Basel’s St. Johannpark, one finds parents with children, young people and walkers, of them many being immigrant inhabitants. Through a simple arrangement, the slightly neglected space, with pond and playground, was transformed into an oriental Tea Garden. Varnished little white wood tables were set up around the pond with, above them, matching stands to which light chains were attached.

The tea was freshly prepared in the samovar and served by mediators from various countries and cultures. During "Local time", an art interested public met in the "Tea garden" with local inhabitants and their families to linger, drink tea and observe the lively activity around the pond.

* in collaboration with the MEL project (immigrants in parental work and adult education), HEKS BS/BL