The exhibition "The Past in the Front Yard. The anti-tank obstacle as a relic" presents findings of an ethnographic-artistic research project on anti-tank obstacles on the Swiss Plateau. In spring 2025, scholars, artists and the public will enter into an in-depth dialogue at the Forum Schlossplatz in Aarau on the contemporary significance of these objects. Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to explore the historical, ecological and cultural significance of this relics via a variety of media and to participate in the discussion about them.
Content and Objectives of the Project
The exhibition project "The Past in the Front Yard. The anti-tank obstacle as a relic" is based on the ethnographic-artistic research project "Materialized Memories in/of the Landscape". This project looked at anti-tank obstacles on the Swiss Plateau as forgotten artefacts of collective memory. Once built for national defence, these obstacles continue to shape the Swiss landscape. Today, they are integrated into everyday life in various ways and touch on issues such as nature conservation, the aesthetics of landscape design, and the preservation of (military) history.
To explore the evolving significance of these historical relics, the research involved interviews with various interest groups, including local residents, nature conservation organizations, local politicians, fortress associations, and artists. The aim was to analyse the current attribution of meaning to these relics through the way they are appropriated by different actors.
In spring 2025, the findings of the ethnographic-artistic research will now be presented to the public in the exhibition "The Past in the Front Yard" at the Forum Schlossplatz Aarau, a place that combines artistic projects with social debates. The exhibition aims to foster dialogue between researchers, artists, and individuals with diverse interests – such as military and local history, nature conservation, art, and culture – as well as local residents, to collaboratively explore and shape the future significance of these relics.
Research context and societal relevance
"The Past in the Front Yard" thus brings together artistic and scientific approaches to examine and discuss the role of anti-tank obstacles in Switzerland as elements of cultural and collective memory.