Art Meets Landscape: Saype on the Chasseral

The secret is out: over the past few days, internationally renowned artist Saype has created his monumental artwork “Bâtir ses rêves” on the Chasseral.

The artwork shows a child sitting at a workbench. In front of them is a rocket – not merely drawn, but built piece by piece with their own hands. Now it is taking off and rising into the sky. Through this image, Saype conveys a message that goes far beyond the artwork itself: dreams do not only begin in the mind. Knowledge, skills, perseverance and the opportunity to create something oneself can become the starting point for many different paths in life.

^{Copyright Photos: Saype}

At the heart of the work is one of Switzerland’s particular strengths: its dual education system. It gives young people the opportunity to learn a profession through practical experience and to build their future from there. Vocational education does not determine how far a path can lead – rather, it can open the door to new perspectives, further development and ambitious goals. This promise lies at the heart of Saype’s intention for the work.

Saype’s own path is a fitting example. Before becoming internationally known for his monumental and ephemeral artworks, he trained as a nurse.

For Initiative Switzerland, it was therefore important from the outset that the project should not only make an extraordinary artwork possible, but also highlight the importance and uniqueness of Swiss vocational education and training. The collaboration with Zesar provides a particularly fitting framework: as a Swiss manufacturer of school furniture, the company is closely connected to the places where learning, education and personal development begin.

The location of the artwork is also part of the story. The distinctive transmission tower on the Chasseral rises high into the sky and itself evokes the shape of a rocket. In Saype’s intention, the setting becomes a place from which reaching for the stars suddenly seems almost within reach.

Like all of Saype’s works, “Bâtir ses rêves” is ephemeral. The image was painted directly onto the grass using fully biodegradable paints and will gradually change with growth and weather.

What remains is the message: Dreams need an idea – but also knowledge, skills and the opportunity to build them yourself.

The artwork began taking shape on the Chasseral from 7 September 2026 and could be observed from the designated areas during its creation.

From 7 September 2026, a monumental artwork will take shape on the meadows of the Chasseral Pass – painted directly onto the grass and embedded in one of the most distinctive landscapes of the Swiss Jura. The French-Swiss artist Saype is internationally known for his large-scale, ephemeral works. He uses fully biodegradable paints made from natural pigments.

The subject will remain a surprise until the work is completed and is expected to be revealed in full on 9 September. In close exchange with Zesar, Initiative Switzerland was also able to contribute ideas to the choice of subject. We are therefore all the more excited to see the concept gradually take shape on the Chasseral over the coming days.

Like all of Saype’s works, this artwork will exist only for a limited time: growth, weather and nature will gradually transform the image until the landscape eventually returns to its original state.

Founded in Tavannes in 1926, Zesar remains closely rooted in the region to this day. The anniversary project combines this local heritage with contemporary art and an international perspective.

Initiative Switzerland supports projects and ideas that make creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit visible. The collaboration with Zesar around Saype’s artwork is a fitting example: a Swiss company is using its anniversary to do something unexpected and create an experience that brings together business, art, the region and the public.