Jana Charl

INSTALLATION

Parcoursvita

©2021 JANA CHARL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Parcoursvita

TRÉLEX RESIDENCY, SWITZERLAND: December 5, 2018 - January 3, 2019

11.5 x 8 x 8 ft / 3.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 m

The Parscoursvita kinetic installation evolved while I was attending the Trélex Residency in
Switzerland. As I was exploring the area, gathering materials and brainstorming, I discovered a
fitness trail called Parcoursvita in a nearby forest. 50 years ago, in 1968, the original Vita parcourse
was designed by Swiss architect Erwin Weckermann and sponsored by Vita (now called Zurich) Life
Insurance.

After revisiting the fitness trail, I noticed that all of the signage had only male figures demonstrating
the exercises. I was inspired to create my own Parcoursvita, to clearly represent the missing women.

While I was painting pieces of canvas, experimenting with textures such as knitting and crocheting
string, and working in the twigs and trash I took from our recycling bins, I began hanging the pieces
from the wood beams of the 18th-century residency home. Viewing them in this manner led me to
paint on both sides of the canvas. Then I began playing with balance, movement, and placement.
As the light changed during the day, I became fascinated with its effect on the artwork and the
reflections dancing on the walls. The hanging artwork became a series of mobiles which I arranged
and rearranged to create the final installation.