A local artist from Wangen near Olten is working on an ambitious public art project that would transform the facade of Bar Galicia with a unique interpretation of a famous Swiss masterpiece. Reto Pfister plans to paint a large-scale mural that reimagines Arnold Böcklin's iconic "Isle of the Dead" by replacing the island's cypresses with Olten's historic old town skyline.
The inspiration for this creative adaptation came to Pfister during a summer morning while he was sitting at the public pool, gazing across at the old town. "I thought I could take the old town and superimpose it," he explained. Pfister had been increasingly fascinated by Böcklin's symbolist masterpiece, which depicts a rocky island in the sea covered with mourning cypresses, with two figures and a coffin approaching the island by boat. The five-part painting series, created between 1880-86, remains one of the most recognized works of symbolism and a signature piece of the Swiss artist's career.
What began as a personal oil painting project in July has evolved into a major public art installation thanks to the enthusiasm of Pfister's longtime friend, author Alex Capus. When Pfister shared his initial sketches with Capus, whom he has known for over 40 years, the author was so impressed that he offered to have the work painted on the wall of the residential building next to Bar Galicia. Both buildings belong to Capus, making the collaboration possible.
To fund this ambitious project, Pfister has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The original cost was nearly 21,000 Swiss francs, but Pfister has agreed to forgo half of his wages to make the project more accessible. With partial funding already secured through donations and sponsorship from Capus, Pfister needs to raise approximately 8,000 francs. Just three days after launching the crowdfunding campaign, more than 40 percent of the target amount had already been collected.
"This really motivates me, seeing that the project is generating broad interest and that it could truly represent added value for the general public," Pfister said, expressing his delight at the community response. Supporters have noted in their contributions that they find the idea important for bringing more art to Olten and giving the city its own distinctive mural.
The crowdfunding campaign will continue until the end of October, allowing more time for community members to contribute. The funds will cover essential project costs including scaffolding rental, paint and small materials, as well as Pfister's remaining wages. Once fully funded, the project timeline is remarkably swift. "We had a quote made by the scaffolding company, and they calculated three weeks," Pfister explained. "So we'll have the scaffolding for three weeks, and then the painting should be complete."
Pfister, who has been co-organizing the Olten Art Market for the past two years, represents a growing movement to bring more public art to the community. His innovative approach of adapting classical masterpieces with local landmarks offers a unique way to celebrate both artistic heritage and local identity, creating a distinctive cultural landmark for residents and visitors alike.
