Swissness

I spent two years during the mid-1970s working in Bern, Switzerland. That early experience sparked a connection that has stayed with me ever since, nurtured through many return photography trips and a deepening understanding of the country. I’ve remained close with Swiss friends who have treated me like family, offering a welcoming home away from home for decades.

A few years ago, I was having dinner with a friend at his flat in the Bern Altstadt. We had shared countless meals over the years, but on that evening, I found myself watching the way he ate; knife and fork moving in a steady, rhythmic pattern, shaping his food into smaller, neat portions. Noticing my gaze, he laughed and said, “I am managing the plate.” That phrase stayed with me. It struck me as more than a comment on eating—more a reflection of how life here is often approached: deliberately, attentively, with a preference for control and structure.

Switzerland is defined by efficiency and meticulous attention to detail, as well as its stunning landscapes. The country projects a polished image, yet beneath the surface, it grapples with the same modern pressures found worldwide: a high cost of living, climate anxieties, and mounting strains on housing and public services.

Life is shaped by quiet restraint and a cultural reserve that values privacy. This sensibility often shapes the emotional tone of public spaces, creating moments marked by stillness or quiet isolation, touched by an elusive quality I find visually compelling. I’m especially drawn to the tension between the outward image of Swiss life and the irregular rhythms of everyday experience; moments when order cracks and something more ambiguous emerges.

The term Swissness, coined by the Swiss Parliament in 2013, promotes goods and services produced in Switzerland. It builds on the idea of Swiss Made, conveying not just quality, but a broader standard of excellence associated with all things Swiss.

What began decades ago as a fascination with postcard-perfect landscapes has become a deeper engagement with a culture that is both disciplined and complex. With these photographs, I offer a personal reflection on Swissness.