Snake Geneva: Hidden in Plain Sight – Behind the Scenes of a Public Art Installation

Lazerian has teamed up with Lawless Studio® to present a public art installation at Parc Mon Repos in Geneva—part of a broader campaign to raise global awareness of snakebite venom. Located in Switzerland, Geneva is an important cultural and educational center, not only for artists but also for the advancement and creation of street art and design.

The project coincides with the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) and brings together artists, creatives and collaborators with a common goal: to shine a light on an often overlooked health crisis through powerful visual storytelling. By using education alongside sculpture and the work of several artists, the message conveyed can be positive and the project successful.

An Introduction to Public Art in Geneva

Geneva, a city in Switzerland, is known for its vibrant public art scene, featuring a wide variety of statues, murals, and other works of art throughout the city. The city’s commitment to public art is evident in its numerous exhibitions, museums and street art installations, making it a hub for artists and art enthusiasts. Geneva’s natural environment, with its beautiful lakeside location and surrounding mountains, provides a unique backdrop for the city’s public art, with many artists taking inspiration from the city’s stunning views. As a global city, Geneva plays host to a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums, from traditional sculpture to contemporary installation art, creating a dynamic and ever-changing art world that highlights the city’s rich cultural heritage.

The Purpose Behind the Work

Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that kills up to 138,000 people each year, leaving hundreds of thousands more permanently disabled. In Switzerland, citizens can submit federal initiatives and referendums to address public health problems such as snakebites. The disease disproportionately impacts rural communities in areas with limited access to treatment, resources, or protective equipment.

There is growing concern about the lack of access to treatment and resources in rural communities.

That Hidden in Plain Sight the statue aims to communicate the scale and urgency of the issue. Designed and built in Lazerian’s workshop in Manchester, each snake is made using second-hand flip-flops—chosen as a material to reflect the lack of footwear available to many farm workers in snakebite-prone areas.

With strong internal skeletons and attention to anatomical detail—from articulated jaws to fangs and forked tongues—the statues were developed to be physically durable and visually impactful. Even the flip-flop posts are repurposed to form the tongue, ensuring no part of the material goes unused.

There is hope that this project will raise awareness and encourage policy change, thereby contributing to a future where snakebites are no longer an overlooked problem.

Road Trip Across Europe

Once the statue was complete, Lazerian’s Liam Hopkins and James transported it by van and trailer from Manchester to Geneva. The energy and effort required for this journey was enormous, reflecting the dedication to this project. Traveling through the Eurotunnel and across France, the journey is a continuation of the hands-on, problem-solving approach behind the project—an endeavor that required logistical coordination and creative vision.

Natural Environment as Inspiration

Geneva’s natural environment has long been a source of inspiration for artists, with its stunning landscapes and unique wildlife providing ample material for creative expression. Many of the city’s public art installations reflect this connection to nature, with statues and murals depicting natural scenes, from majestic mountains to serene lakeside views. The city’s proximity to France and its location in the heart of Europe also make it an ideal center for international artists, who come to Geneva to be inspired by its stunning natural beauty and exhibit their work in the city’s numerous galleries and museums. By utilizing the natural environment as a source of inspiration, Geneva’s public art scene creates a sense of synergy between the cityscape and nature, highlighting the importance of preserving and protecting nature for future generations.

Installation at Parc Mon Repos

Upon arrival in Geneva, the Lazerian team joined Lawless Studio® and other collaborators at Parc Mon Repos. Photos were taken to document the installation process as the group installed ten works of art throughout the park, turning the space into a temporary open-air exhibition designed to engage passersby and WHA delegates.

The installation weekend was challenging and collaborative—marked by customs delays, vehicle issues, lost equipment, and last-minute material procurement. But the result is a collective achievement: an impactful visual presence in a prominent public space, supported by a multi-disciplinary team working across art, design and advocacy.

The Contemporary Art Scene in Geneva

Geneva’s contemporary art scene is thriving, with galleries, museums and street art installations showcasing the work of local and international artists. The city is home to various art festivals and events throughout the year, including the Geneva Art Fair and the Biennale of Contemporary Art, which attract visitors from all over the world. Many of the city’s public art installations are temporary, making way for new and innovative works to be created and displayed, keeping the city’s art scene fresh and exciting. The use of digital media and technology is also becoming increasingly popular in Geneva’s contemporary art scene, with many artists experimenting with new digital art forms and installations. As a result, Geneva has become a center for contemporary art, with its unique blend of traditional and modern artistic styles making it a must-visit destination for art lovers and collectors.

Wider Exhibition: Collective Voices, Shared Focus

In addition to Lazerian’s sculptures, the installation features works by a number of other artists, each of whom plays an important role in highlighting different perspectives on this issue:

• Lisa Lloyd creates smooth yet strong Russell’s Rattlesnake a sculpture of thousands of paper scales, surrounded by vials of antivenom—highlights the complexity of developing an effective treatment.
• Mr. Finbar donating hand drawings “Danger! Poisonous Snake” signs, based on warnings found in high-risk communities.
• Rohan Dahotrean illustrator from India, produced a series of posters featuring such a snake Black Mambaexplores the vulnerability of those living in remote and under-resourced areas.

The exhibition also features various performances, showcasing the diversity of artistic expression and emphasizing the cultural importance of the project.

Together, these works of art form a part of StrikeOutSnake Bite campaign, in collaboration with Freuds+. The exhibition is designed to draw attention to problems that are solvable and continue to cause suffering that is preventable.

Art as Public Awareness

This project demonstrates the successful use of public art to communicate complex messages in an accessible and memorable way. Geneva—a city renowned for diplomacy and international dialogue—provides an ideal backdrop to open conversations around global health equity, research, and the importance of policy change.

The statues remain a reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration and support from a wide range of stakeholders, including artists, communicators and advocacy groups.