The iconic Grossmünster is undergoing a major exterior renovation, and during this period, the scaffolding itself has been transformed into a large-scale art installation by Swiss-Iranian photographer Shirana Shahbazi. The installation, fully visible from April 7, covers over 60 meters of the church and combines historical images of Zurich, private family photographs, and portraits of local residents—some captured underwater. Shahbazi’s work reflects a fragmented and multilayered view, mirroring both the impossibility of seeing the church in its entirety and the complex, fragmented nature of contemporary social and political life.
Selected unanimously from a group of six artists, Shahbazi’s project is part of Zurich’s long-standing “Art and Architecture” initiative, which integrates public art into civic spaces. The project continues the church’s tradition of engaging with art history and emphasizes the Grossmünster as a social and public space, creating a connection between the artist, the community, and the broader city.
