Magazine

Christian Tagliavini: The world as a staged stage

Swiss artist Christian Tagliavini operates at the interface between photography and painting. His works, which are often inspired by classical portrait painting, are not simply photographs - they are elaborately staged scenes that create a world of their own.

From engineer to staged photography

Tagliavini grew up between two cultures - Italian and Swiss - and was moulded by both. He discovered his love of staged photography by chance after trying out various photographic disciplines. ‘I wanted to go beyond pure photography and create my own stories,’ he explains. His working method is characterised by precision and dedication - every detail, from the lighting to the tailor-made costumes of his models, is deliberately chosen.

CIRCESQUE - A tribute to the circus

His CIRCESQUE series, from which two works are on display at CERVO, is dedicated to the quiet moments behind the big show. ‘I didn't want to show the flawless perfection of the circus, but the tension beforehand, the fear of failure, the willpower to get up again after a fall.’

For Tagliavini, the circus is a metaphor for life - full of uncertainties and challenges, but also of unbridled creativity and beauty. His works L'acrobata and L'escapista, which are now hanging in the CERVO, are intended to inspire guests to reflect. ‘I hope that they not only see performers in these figures, but also themselves - with all their ups and downs.’

Helga Zumstein: Everyday life as a work of art

Valais artist Helga Zumstein has dedicated herself to depicting seemingly unremarkable moments in life. She captures everyday scenes - people in a café, on the beach or at the hairdresser - and turns them into something special.

From ‘bread and butter’ to art

Although painting has always been her passion, Zumstein initially opted for a down-to-earth career. It was not until she was almost 40 that she followed her artistic vocation and attended the School of Applied Arts in Bern. Today, her art is internationally recognised.

The beauty of the banal

Zumstein sees her work as an invitation to the viewer to become more aware of the small moments in life. ‘For me, art is a process, a way of making the ordinary visible in a special way,’ she says. Her work at CERVO was created in a fascinating interplay between art and space. Even before the building was erected, hotelier Daniel F. Lauber knew that this very picture should find its place there - an encounter that shows that art often finds its own way.

Her works are deliberately open to interpretation. ‘I don't want to prescribe a message,’ she explains, ’rather, I want my pictures to be a wink, an invitation to embark on your own inner journey.’

Maja Juzwiak: Nature as ephemeral beauty

Photographer Maja Juzwiak combines art with environmental awareness. Her works deal with the transience of nature and invite us to reflect on our relationship with the environment.

From nomad to artist

Originally from Brazil, Juzwiak has lived in Switzerland for over 15 years. After working in a wide variety of industries, she discovered her passion for photography. ‘I wanted to use art to make people think,’ she says. Her focus is on using art as an educational tool and making topics such as sustainability accessible.

The melting glaciers of Zermatt

Her work at CERVO shows impressive aerial photographs of the melting glaciers of Zermatt. During a stay in the Lost Valley, she captured the dramatic beauty of the glacier rivers with her drone. The images are aesthetically pleasing, but carry a serious message: they document the retreat of the glaciers, which has accelerated dramatically in recent years.

Juzwiak's aim with her art is not only to alarm, but to inspire. ‘I hope that CERVO guests will pause to admire the beauty of nature and reflect on the impact they have on this world.’ Her project supports the organisation Protect Our Winters Switzerland, which campaigns for climate protection. To her shop

Adam Stamp: Art between hospitality and nostalgia

American artist Adam Stamp blends elements of painting, sculpture, and conceptual art in his work. His pieces explore themes of hospitality, service, and the delicate balance between giving and receiving.

Ski Romance with a playful twist

For CERVO, Stamp created a series during his time as Artist in Residence inspired by vintage ski advertisements—with a modern twist. Love, drinks, and falls are recurring motifs that reflect the resort’s spirit: playful, stylish, and touched with nostalgia. The challenge of integrating art into a lively hotel space inspired him to create works that seamlessly blend into CERVO’s atmosphere while bringing a smile to those who encounter them.

The exhibited works by Tagliavini, Zumstein, Juzwiak and Stamp show that art is not static - it lives, tells stories and inspires reflection.

Every visit to CERVO is an encounter with art that combines with the unique atmosphere of the mountains. Those who view the works embark on a journey - through emotions, through stories, through time