Swiss artist Virginie Rebetez is examining the intersection of death, memory, and funeral rituals in her exhibition “Ajouter un tiret,” hosted at the Photoforum Pasquart in Bienne through August 30. The showcase utilizes photography, film, and performance to explore the “traces” left by the deceased, specifically referencing the dash on tombstones that symbolizes the years between birth and death.
Documenting the Exhumation Process in ‘La Rencontre’
The exhibition’s central project, “La Rencontre,” documents the exhumation of Rebetez’s grandparents in the Jura region. This artistic initiative began when the family decided not to renew the grave concessions in 2025. Rebetez stated she wanted to understand the process and provide a “new existence” to her grandparents through the act of documentation.
Presented through films and photographs, the process is described by Rebetez as being similar to archaeology. She noted the distinct conditions of the two graves, observing that her grandmother’s bones had become intertwined with the roots of a neighboring tree, a detail she characterized as both surprising and poetic.
Did you know? The title “Ajouter un tiret” (Adding a Dash) refers to the typographic mark on a headstone. For Rebetez, this dash represents the entirety of a lived life and serves as the conceptual link between all her projects.
Reinventing Funeral Rituals and Family Memory
The exhumation project involved Rebetez’s entire family, which she described as a form of family reunion. According to the artist, the process allowed the family to share photographs and speak about the deceased, effectively making them “live again” through the shared experience.
Rebetez uses this work to encourage a broader societal shift in how people handle death. She reports that many individuals express a desire to participate more deeply in funeral moments but often lack the courage to do so. She advocates for people to reappropriate these rituals and create their own personalized gestures of farewell.
Exploring Absence Through ‘L’Inconnue’ and Family History
The exhibition features a second room dedicated to Rebetez’s long-term exploration of absence. This includes “L’Inconnue” (2018–present), a project documenting her efforts to organize funerals for an unidentified woman found in the Arve river in Geneva in 2014, a case that remains unsolved.
Another featured work, “Vous trouverez mon corps au petit port” (2020), draws from the artist’s own family history, specifically the suicide of her great-uncle. Rebetez notes that while photography is a powerful tool for marking an imprint and prolonging memory, she is now expanding her practice into film and performance to deepen this exploration.
Integration With the ‘Handle With Care’ Program
The exhibition is part of the Photoforum Pasquart’s annual “Handle With Care” program. In this context, Rebetez’s work dialogues with the art of Tiziana Amico, collectively offering a sensitive examination of the enduring bonds between the living and the dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning behind the title ‘Ajouter un tiret’?
It refers to the dash engraved on tombstones between the birth and death dates, symbolizing the span of a person’s life.
What mediums does Virginie Rebetez use in this exhibition?
The exhibition blends photography, film, and performance art.
Where can you see the exhibition?
It is currently showing at the Photoforum Pasquart in Bienne until August 30.
Worth a look