frank + patrik riklin blanket swiss countryside with huge BIGNIK cloth

frank + patrik riklin blanket swiss countryside with huge BIGNIK cloth
image © helikopter-service triet AG, courtesy of BIGNIK

the tranquil landscape of the appenzell region of switzerland’s northeast countryside has been interrupted by an artistic intervention lead by brothers frank and patrik riklin who have blanketed the green rolling fields in ‘BIGNIK‘, a huge picnic cloth. employing the help of the public, the project draws on what is locally available to create something, acting as a platform for encounters and stories. the textiles are a patchwork of red and white hued fabrics that once served as curtains, bedsheets, even towels – articles that are commonly found in one’s household – that measure a minimum of 1.40 x 1.40 meters. each BIGNIK module is a composition of four tailored cloths that are outfitted with velcro fasteners to connect them. 

the ‘BIGNIK’ is 4% complete
image © helikopter-service triet AG, courtesy of BIGNIK

the ongoing project in its current state takes over the area equivalent to that of 100 football fields, and will continue to grow each year, its progress presented in the early summers months. the timeline for completion sees 50% of the BIGNIK vision being achieved by 2027, and 2040 as being the year in which it is finally completed.

aerial view of the 2014 summer installation of ‘BIGNIK’
image © helikopter-service triet AG, courtesy of BIGNIK

the red and white blank cover the green rolling hills of the swiss countryside

the patchwork is made up of various fabrics – from bedsheets to towels
image courtesy of BIGNIK

the public enjoying the huge picnic cloth
image courtesy of BIGNIK

up close of the patchwork
image courtesy of BIGNIK

image courtesy of patrik riklin

each blanket module is made of four tailored cloths

image courtesy of patrik riklin

image courtesy of patrik riklin

early on in the installation process
image by bodo rüedi