Barbara Erni
(2025–2026)
Based on the tale of the ‘Goldene Boos’ and the historical figure Barbara Erni, the work Barbara Erni explores the Güediga hill – a historic place where memory, guilt and public judgement converge, and the place where I grew up. Ever since I first heard about this tale when I was eight years old, I have been fascinated by it. Through photography and poetry, I am exploring my personal connection to the ‘Goldene Boos’ and Barbara Erni.
Barbara Erni was the last person to be executed in Liechtenstein in 1785. This execution was highly publicised in order to have a deterrent effect on the people. In the video essay Where Echoes Linger, I draw parallels to today’s shitstorms, in which people are publicly exposed online.
An artistic reflection on visibility, power and collective judgements.
Exhibited at Kunst(zeug)haus in Rapperswil in the exhibition ‘Fragments of Places.’
Remembering You
I‘m standing on this hill
in 2025, in the cold winter air
and I imagine your blonde hair,
which was your recognition symbol still.
Pressed down on an oak pedestral
in 1785, in the cold February air,
you remembered your life
and all the lies,
told about you.
And the last thing you saw,
was your blonde hair,
in front of your eyes.
Standing here on this empty hill
on this narrow street,
I look at the Three Sisters
and they look back at me.
They have seen so much already.
They had to watch you die.
Standing here sublime and steady,
they sang you a last lullaby.
You must have seen,
the sea of eyes.
A restless tide of bystanders, they said.
Hundreds and thousands of them.
Did you hear them scream?
For one dark purpose all were led:
To see him strike the sword and cut off your head.
