The traditional yearly swiss poster exhibition in Willisau - this year on political posters - was a big surprise. Niklaus Troxler, better know as graphic designer or organizer of the Willisau Jazz Festival than as exhibition curator, somehow managed to find so many graphically interesting political posters from the time between the 1960's until today, that we may have to reconsider the bad esthetic reputation that political posters usually have. Below is a selection from the 50 posters in the exhibition. Keep in mind that the swiss political system is characterized not only by elections from the local to the national level, but also by frequent votes on all kinds of subjects, from an increase in taxes to the introduction of daylight saving time.

posters from the 1960's

1983, Carla Agustoni, U. Snozzi It's time for a change, vote for PSA

1983, Bettina Truninger Even more roads? Vote NO to an increase in gasoline import duties

198?, Polly Bertram, Daniel Volkart PdA, party of workers and employees

posters from the 1990's

1998, Frederik Peeters Vote YES to keep the Place neuve for the pedestrians

Two posters from the 1990's by Roger Pfund

1991, Pierre Neumann 700th anniversary of Switzerland, don't forget the refugees

1993, Pierre Neumann And if it would happen to you? Swiss charity for the refugees (OSAR)

In 1996, Troxler made a personal political statement by publishing an unpayed, uncomissioned poster on the heatedly debated question whether Switzerland should join the European Union. Does he have second thoughts now ? His newest poster shows powerful right-wing politician Christoph Blocher, an outspoken opponent of a union, but the poster is sprayed over to make him look like a european saint. Many political posters are defaced as soon as they are put up, or beautified, Troxler comments, with a malicious smile.

1996, Niklaus Troxler A visual call for Switzerland to join the European Union

Niklaus Troxler

2000, Niklaus Troxler poster for this exhibition

The exhibition in the Rathaus Willisau lasts from July 7 to July 16, 2000, and is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 1800 to 2100, and on Saturday and Sundays from 1000 to 1200 and 1400 to 1700, or by appointement through tel +41 - 970 2731.