Charles-Henri Thurre, Mayor of Saillon, in Valais, Switzerland, sleeps in an 'anti-idyllic' suite at the 'Null Stern Hotel' or 'Zero Star Hotel' installation by Swiss conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin. All photos: EPA unless otherwise specified
Charles-Henri Thurre, Mayor of Saillon, in Valais, Switzerland, sleeps in an 'anti-idyllic' suite at the 'Null Stern Hotel' or 'Zero Star Hotel' installation by Swiss conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin. All photos: EPA unless otherwise specified
The artists were inspired by the current situation of the world and wanted to spark reflection on the urgency and necessity of a radical change in society.
The artists were inspired by the current situation of the world and wanted to spark reflection on the urgency and necessity of a radical change in society.
Frank and Patrik in their 'anti-idyllic' suite.
Frank and Patrik in their 'anti-idyllic' suite.
The hotel room is essentially a double bed on a platform, with two bedside tables and lamps. There are no walls, ceiling or doors to provide any privacy or shelter.
The hotel room is essentially a double bed on a platform, with two bedside tables and lamps. There are no walls, ceiling or doors to provide any privacy or shelter.
Guests are invited in their 'half sleep' to consider topics such as climate change and war.
Guests are invited in their 'half sleep' to consider topics such as climate change and war.
Frank and Patrik Riklin say their intention is to encourage action.
Frank and Patrik Riklin say their intention is to encourage action.
The project, which has been developed with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier, features three more 'Null Stern' suites in more idyllic settings.
The project, which has been developed with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier, features three more 'Null Stern' suites in more idyllic settings.
An 'idyllic' suite located on a hill as part of the 'Zero Star Hotel' project.
An 'idyllic' suite located on a hill as part of the 'Zero Star Hotel' project.
Frank and Patrik at one of their 'idyllic' suites.
Frank and Patrik at one of their 'idyllic' suites.
Another 'idyllic' suite, this one located in a vineyard.
Another 'idyllic' suite, this one located in a vineyard.
The brothers have created similar beds in idyllic spots.
The brothers have created similar beds in idyllic spots.
Frank and Patrik with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier at the 'anti-idyllic' suite.
Frank and Patrik with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier at the 'anti-idyllic' suite.
The artists outside their 'anti-idyllic' 'zero star hotel'. EPA
The artists outside their 'anti-idyllic' 'zero star hotel'. EPA
All suites in the 'Zero Star Hotel', including the 'anti-idyllic', come with butler service.
All suites in the 'Zero Star Hotel', including the 'anti-idyllic', come with butler service.
A butler irons the bed of the 'anti-idyllic' suite.
A butler irons the bed of the 'anti-idyllic' suite.
Frank and Patrik with Charbonnier in the vineyard suite. Reuters
Frank and Patrik with Charbonnier in the vineyard suite. Reuters
The 'Zero Star Hotel' offers guests a choice between four open-air rooms in reaction to the current state of the world. Reuters
The 'Zero Star Hotel' offers guests a choice between four open-air rooms in reaction to the current state of the world. Reuters
The suites are available for stays form July 1 to September 18. The price for an imperfect night's sleep is 325 Swiss francs ($338). Reuters
The suites are available for stays form July 1 to September 18. The price for an imperfect night's sleep is 325 Swiss francs ($338). Reuters

Culture

Art

'Zero Star Hotel' in Switzerland invites guests to think, not sleep

The art installation by concept artists will welcome guests from July 1 for $338 a night

Reuters

June 23, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

"I couldn't sleep," and "my room was too noisy," may be complaints hoteliers dread from guests, but for the Riklin brothers that is the entire point of their latest Zero Star Hotel art installation.

The Swiss conceptual artists' hotel room is essentially a double bed on a platform, with two bedside tables and lamps. There are no walls, ceiling or doors to provide any privacy or shelter.

They have set up their Null Stern suite — German for zero star — on a roadside next to a petrol station in the village of Saillon, in the southern Swiss canton of Valais.

Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures of the 'Zero Star Hotel'

The intention is to make guests think about the problems in the world, the twin brothers said, and inspire them to act differently.

They've created similar beds in idyllic spots, but this is their first "anti-idyllic" site.

"Sleep is not the point," said Frank Riklin. "What's important is reflecting about the current world situation. Staying here is a statement about the need for urgent changes in society."

Guests are invited in their "half sleep" to consider topics such as climate change, war, and humanity's endless quest for perfection and the damage it causes the planet.

"In a nutshell, now is not the time to sleep, we have to react," said Patrik. "If we continue in the same direction we are today, there might be more anti-idyllic places than idyllic."

The project, which has been developed with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier, also features three further null stern suites in a more idyllic vineyard and on a picturesque hillside.

The suites, which come with butler service offering drinks and breakfast, will be available form July 1 to September 18. The price for an imperfect night's sleep: 325 Swiss francs ($338).

Eight of the world's best underwater restaurants — in pictures

Under, a stark rectangle tilted on its axis, will become part of its marine environment over time. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Under, a stark rectangle tilted on its axis, will become part of its marine environment over time. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Under is located in Norway’s Lindesnes. Photo: Andre Martinsen
Under is located in Norway’s Lindesnes. Photo: Andre Martinsen
Under's lounge area. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Under's lounge area. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Under offers a rare opportunity to witness the workings of the North Atlantic Ocean sea bed. Photo: Ivar Kvaal
Under offers a rare opportunity to witness the workings of the North Atlantic Ocean sea bed. Photo: Ivar Kvaal
Under offers one set menu each day, carefully crafted using seasonal produce. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Under offers one set menu each day, carefully crafted using seasonal produce. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was the first resort in the world to offer an all-glass underwater restaurant. Photo: Conrad Hotels
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was the first resort in the world to offer an all-glass underwater restaurant. Photo: Conrad Hotels
Ithaa is located five metres below sea level and offers coral garden views. Photo: Conrad Hotels
Ithaa is located five metres below sea level and offers coral garden views. Photo: Conrad Hotels
Only Blu sits between the two island resorts of Oblu Select Lobigili and Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. Photo: Only Blu
Only Blu sits between the two island resorts of Oblu Select Lobigili and Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. Photo: Only Blu
The Maldivian yellowfin tuna poke at Only Blu. Photo: Only Blu
The Maldivian yellowfin tuna poke at Only Blu. Photo: Only Blu
Al Mahara restaurant in Dubai's Burj Al Arab. Photo: Burj Al Arab
Al Mahara restaurant in Dubai's Burj Al Arab. Photo: Burj Al Arab
Al Mahara is home to a wall-to-ceiling aquarium. Razan Alzayani / The National
Al Mahara is home to a wall-to-ceiling aquarium. Razan Alzayani / The National
Chef Andrea Migliaccio is responsible for the menu at Burj Al Arab’s Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara. Photo: Burj Al Arab
Chef Andrea Migliaccio is responsible for the menu at Burj Al Arab’s Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara. Photo: Burj Al Arab
The ambassador lagoon view at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
The ambassador lagoon view at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
A welk shell served on a bed of sand and filled with umami dashi at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
A welk shell served on a bed of sand and filled with umami dashi at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Ossiano's bar area. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Ossiano's bar area. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Views of the aquarium from a table at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Views of the aquarium from a table at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Koral at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
Koral at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
Koral was named the world’s most picture-perfect restaurant in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
Koral was named the world’s most picture-perfect restaurant in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
Indonesian coastal flavours are served up by chef Andrea Astone at Koral. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
Indonesian coastal flavours are served up by chef Andrea Astone at Koral. Photo: Kempinski Hotels

The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

RESULTS

Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)

Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)

Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)

Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)

Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)

Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)

Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)

Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Updated: June 23, 2022, 3:12 PM
ArtSwitzerland