Playing with the climate

Sedna has many names and there are many versions to her story, depending on the place.

A version goes as follows: A young woman with beautiful long hair, who didn’t want to take a husband, married a man who was actually a bird, named Natturalik (Golden Eagle). She only discovered his true identity after their journey to his home, which was across a bay on top of a cliff, when he deposited her into his nest. She was very unhappy and lonely. Hearing her sighs and tears, which the wind carried to her father, her father went to rescue her, when Natturalik was away hunting. As they were crossing the bay back to her father’s home, Natturalik returned and realising what had happened, followed them and made a huge storm with his wings.

Fearing for his life and knowing that his daughter was the cause of this dilemma, Sedna’s father threw her overboard, but she clung to the boat. Desperate for his life, her father cut off her fingertips so that she couldn’t hold on anymore and she sunk to the bottom of the sea. Her fingertips transformed into seals, walruses, and whales, thus becoming the mother of the sea mammals. As long as her hair is combed or braided, the world in in order, but when humans do not obey the rules, these misdemeanours are transformed into the sea mammals caught in her hair and hunting is no longer good. It requires a Shaman’s intervention. He must dive into the water and comb Sedna’s hair, releasing the sea mammals, so that the world’s order is restored and hunting good again.

Now, however, artists portray Sedna in different roles, either helping humans deal with the rising waters as a result of the melting ice, protecting them from extreme weather conditions with her hair, or her life being endangered due to pollution and the rising temperatures causing poisonous jellyfish to grow to a huge size.

To kick off the three-year concert series "Music for the Planet", the Gstaad Menuhin Festival investigates the responsibility of cultural organisers, musicians and the role of the performing arts in the face of climate change. Follow the exciting exchange between top-class artists and representatives from science and climate activism.

Location:
Greenhouse Blumen Stricker, Saanen

Opening hours:
Friday, 14 July 2023, 8am –12am & 1.30pm –6pm
& during the opening ceremony
Saturday, 15 July 2023, 8am –12am

Guided tours by Martha and Peter Cerny:
Friday, 14 July 2023, 5pm & 5.30pm
Saturday, 15 July 2023, 10am & 11am

Second exhibition
Accompanying the concert "The Trout", exhibits on the legend of Sedna will be on display in the St. Anna Chapel in Saanen. Provided by the Museum Cerny.contemporary circumpolar art.
Opening times: Thursday, 10th August 17:30-19:30 and after the concert.