Photo: Valentin Flauraud/Saype

Artist Spreads Message of Hope With Giant Grass Painting in the Swiss Alps

News Art + Architecture
by Dayana Aleksandrova May 14, 2020

This month, French artist Saype unveiled a 3,200-square-foot painting of hope on the slopes of Switzerland’s Alpine resort, Leysin. The work depicts a young girl sitting down with an open pencil case, surrounded by a circle of stick figure people holding hands. The painting, titled “Beyond Crisis,” is made entirely of biodegradable materials. It aims to inspire hope and positivity across the world.

Swiss mural

Photo: Valentin Flauraud/Saype

“I always like to treat subjects in a poetic and optimistic way. The little girl drew a farandole of characters on the ground, certainly her friends. The fact that she is alone speaks of confinement,” Saype told Matador Network, adding, “We have to trust and understand that it’s only together that humanity will be able to respond to the biggest challenge of our time.”

Swiss mural

Photo: Valentin Flauraud/Saype

A stunning contrast between bright, natural pigments and lush meadows, “Beyond Crisis” effortlessly stands out in the Swiss countryside. According to his official website, Saype is a self-taught artist passionate about philosophy and existentialism. His main focus since 2013 has been creating large-scale temporary paintings in outdoor landscapes, using fully biodegradable materials such as coal and chalk.

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