Murals bridging culture! The 25th Anniversary of the Lucerne - Chicago Partnership

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On April 19, 2024, the “Noggeler Guggenmusig” walked down the streets of Lucerne towards the Sentisteg pedestrian bridge at Kasernenplatz where approximately 350 people gathered for the unveiling of two large works of art. Embodying the strength of the cross-Atlantic ties between the City of Murals and the Windy City, acclaimed Lucerne artist duo QueenKong and Chicago-based and internationally known artist, Jeff Zimmerman, each produced a mural on the exterior staircase leading up to the foot bridge. One of the masterminds and drivers behind this project is Therese Marie Peskowits, Committee Member, Lucerne Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) and Co-Chair, Chicago-Lucerne Artist Scholarship Program (CLASP).

Roberta Neuhäusler, Project Manager at the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago, had the chance to speak to Therese Peskowits:

Roberta Neuhäusler: First, tell us a little bit about yourself and the Lucerne Chicago Sister Cities Committee.

Therese Peskowits: I am an Art Historian and a proud Chicagoan who believes in the transformative power of art. I have worked in museum collection management for twenty-five years, having spent twelve of those years at the Art Institute of Chicago organizing their prolific loans and exhibitions programming. Generally, I’m responsible for writing contracts with lenders and exhibition venues, tracking the movement of objects, handling insurance, organizing logistics, overseeing installations, and couriering multi-million dollar paintings worldwide. My expertise extends to working with Contemporary artists. As the Exhibition Manager for the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial, I led a team that collaborated with seventy-three international artists, activists, and architects to create projects for a four-month exhibition at the historic Chicago Cultural Center.

Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), overseen by World Business Chicago, aims to highlight Chicago as a prominent global city. With 27 Sister Cities, CSCI promotes arts, culture, global education, government relations, and international business, enhancing the lives of Chicago residents and fostering stronger connections with sister cities globally. Lucerne and Chicago established their sister city relationship in 1998, and our committee currently consists of nine volunteers.

RN: You are no stranger to big complex projects! How did this exciting Switzerland-Midwest mural project come to fruition? What bumps did you overcome along the road?

TP: Jeff Zimmermann was awarded the Chicago-Lucerne Artist Residency Program in early 2019, just before I joined the Lucerne Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI). Upon joining, I recognized our responsibility to secure a location in Lucerne for our Chicago muralist. During Fasnacht 2020, our colleagues from the Chicago Committee in Lucerne suggested potential sites. Then COVID happened and put the project on hold…

Alas, the pandemic provided additional time to find a location for Jeff’s large-scale art, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of our Sister City partnership in 2023. Once travel to Europe resumed, I returned to Lucerne for Fasnacht 2022 and began searching for a location that would highlight our city partnership without being too intrusive, such as in the historic city center. While traveling back by bus from the nearby town of Emmen, I noticed the large concrete side of the Sentisteg pedestrian bridge at Kasernenplatz and thought it would be perfect for Jeff’s art.

Excited, I shared my discovery with my committee colleague, Reto Woodtli. We visited the site together, taking a series of pictures to present to the committee upon our return to Chicago. This project thus became a partnership for us as well, with Reto being from Lucerne and me from Chicago.

Our colleagues in the Mayor’s office and the administrative infrastructure in the City of Lucerne conducted research on the history of the bridge and identified the key contacts for pitching our idea. We discovered that the bridge was owned by both the Canton Luzern and Stadt Luzern. We believed this dual ownership would expedite the permitting process, allowing us to unveil the mural in 2023 for the 25th anniversary celebration.

We realized that the bridge’s two sizable exterior concrete walls offered the perfect opportunity to invite a Swiss muralist to collaborate on what was rapidly evolving into the 25th anniversary project. This collaboration would both literally and symbolically connect our two cities using the Sentisteg pedestrian bridge. Through discussions with our colleagues and artist friends in Lucerne, we learned about QueenKong, an artist duo highly regarded in the region. We first met QueenKong during a visit to their studio in February 2022.

Stadt Luzern’s various departmental and administrative offices supported us throughout the process. This included discussions with the City Architect, approval meetings with the Arts Commission, and obtaining signatures on permits with the Mayor’s office. As the project progressed, it became clear that there were no formal procedures for new public art or murals in Lucerne. Together, we developed and navigated a new process, often making progress through a series of advances and setbacks.

In 2023, we learned that the bridge was slated for restoration, meaning the mural would have to be temporary. This was a significant disappointment for everyone, especially the artists, but we were all committed to creating these two murals and needed to find a solution that satisfied all parties involved. For me, this wasn’t such an issue, as my experience as an exhibition manager involved years of planning for temporary displays of artworks.

During my involvement in an art cataloging project for the City of Chicago amidst the pandemic, I became aware of a product being utilized by Chicago muralists. My task was to document the murals and artwork within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Over the past decade, CPS has mandated that murals must be temporary and removable to preserve building integrity and facilitate maintenance. To meet this requirement, Chicago muralists adopted Polytab, a canvas material, enabling them to create murals that could be assembled and affixed to school interiors or exteriors as needed.

In July 2023, we obtained permits to proceed with the murals under the condition that they be painted on Polytab rather than directly on the concrete structure of the bridge. Fortunately, Jeff Zimmermann was already experienced with this material, having successfully used it in Chicago. After priming, painting directly on Polytab fabric allows it to be adhered to the wall surface using an adhesive like wallpaper. If it can endure Chicago winters, it should certainly withstand the climate in Lucerne.

April 2024 was selected for the mural unveiling, allowing ample time to secure in-kind donations and sponsorship funding in Lucerne. Originally, we planned for a two-week onsite painting period, with flexibility for spring weather conditions. Using the mural cloth also offered the artists the option to paint sections or elements in their studios.

While Jeff was already familiar with Polytab, QueenKong had not yet worked with this American product. We contacted Polytab to explain our international mural project, and they generously sponsored the material. However, as an American product, the Polytab needed to be transported to Switzerland for QueenKong to begin preparations for painting. Through our business connections in Switzerland from Chicago, we engaged a Zurich-based freight forwarding company that kindly sponsored the transportation costs to deliver the large roll of Polytab material to Switzerland for QueenKong.

Reto spearheaded the bulk of the Lucerne funding efforts, covering everything from scissor-lifts and Jeff’s accommodations to paints and supplies. The overwhelming support for the arts and our project in Lucerne through in-kind contributions was truly remarkable. Together Reto and I worked for three years on this project, drafting content for the CSCI website in both English and German, permit project summaries, budgeting, crafting press releases, artist statements, designing vernissage flyers and the unveiling program.

Our colleagues in Lucerne played a crucial role in navigating the city’s administrative processes for permits and equipment, as well as organizing the vernissage, which received funding from the Swiss Benevolent Society of Chicago through a generous grant. To ensure the success of the vernissage, which was open to the public at no cost, we invited our friends, the Noggeler Guggenmusig Luzern, to perform. The Lucerne Committee of CSCI has maintained a relationship with the band since 1993 and has hosted them in Chicago on eleven occasions to showcase guggenmusig. This performance highlighted yet another cultural bond between Chicago and Lucerne.

I had numerous meetings with Jeff at his studio to monitor his progress. He completed 80% of his mural in Chicago and rolled it up for transportation. Fortunately, Reto had a spare travel ski bag that perfectly accommodated the mural for the flight to Switzerland. I traveled alongside Jeff, the ski bag, and the portfolio of artist prints for sale on Swiss International Airlines who generously waived our baggage fees.

Meanwhile, QueenKong set up a temporary loft studio with high ceilings suitable for the bridge wall’s height and their mural cloth strips. Within the month of March the murals were created in their respective studios, and in April applied and embellished onsite. We were fortunate to experience a series of warm, sunny days, ideal for adhering the mural to the concrete walls of the bridge.

RN: How long will the murals be on-view? Where can we follow along and how can we get involved?

TP: The murals, though temporary, have garnered significant popularity, and we aim for them to remain until the bridge’s restoration in the coming years. Jeff’s mural, titled Unity, overlooks the bustling city street and tourist bus parking, while QueenKong’s mural, Heart Gate, adorns the vibrant bicycle and footpath along the Reuss River. Each mural features a QR code linking viewers to the CSCI project website for more information about the project, the artists, and the artworks. Furthermore, you can connect via Instagram using the designated hashtag.

To support the artist for their collaboration, we have created limited-edition, artist-signed archival fine art prints available for purchase. These prints commemorate the LUV Bridge Lucerne mural project. Each artist created a print that represents their mural and is embossed with the Lucerne Committee’s project seal for authenticity. The fundraiser is ongoing and can be accessed through the project website provided below. Please consider purchasing a print to help support the project. All proceeds go to the artists, and we’re looking to sell out.

RN: And last, but not, least, why could Lucerne be considered a City of Murals?

TP: Since the 15th century, Lucerne has been renowned for adorning its bridges and building facades with murals. The most famous example is the Kapellbrücke, which originally featured 158 triangular paintings on its roof trusses commissioned in 1611. The Spreuerbrücke, located slightly downstream from the Kapellbrücke, also boasts 56 paintings in its roof trusses and is the world’s oldest surviving wooden truss bridge. Additionally, several large plazas in the historic city center, such as the Weinmarkt, Lucerne’s main marketplace, are decorated with large-scale Renaissance mural paintings.

RN: Thank you, Therese, for your time and work on this unifying project, and thank you to the Lucerne Sister Cities Committee for continuing to strengthen the connections between Switzerland and the Midwest.

Click here to visit the project’s website and explore the art pieces on sale.