In the coverage of the global economic crisis, sometimes all the zeros on the figures of corporate bonuses, bailouts, profits and slumps only frustrate and dumbfound. Christian Kryl's Top of the World, shot in the Swiss resort village of St. Moritz, bypasses the unmanageable numbers and depicts those zeros in the furs, the luxury cars and the private helicopters of the international jet-set.
Switzerland is well-known for its well-heeled upper-class and its well-insulated banking sector providing tax shelters for the global elite. Kryl, who describes the experience of St. Moritz as "being in a James Bond movie," is fascinated by displays of affluence.
"St. Moritz, St. Tropez and Monaco are all villages that through the media – especially the media of the '50s and '60s – became really famous," says Kryl, who lives and works in The Hague in the Netherlands. "As a result, they've become places with uber-image. I like to photograph the people that do everything to be part of this image."
Cleverly, maybe even spitefully, Kryl depicts the monied class as floating alien beings in a snowbound world. Outrageous furs dominate in this white-out paradise.
"Furs have always been a part of St. Moritz; it is one of the few places in the world where you still can wear a fur without being judged for it," says Kryl. "But also in St. Moritz, it's a statement."
While St. Moritz is a famed skiing destination, none of Kryl's subjects are on the slopes. Kryl has a theory. "There are different groups of people going to St. Moritz. The billionaire that likes skiing, enjoys the landscape and does his or her best to be invisible. But, also you see people who go to St. Moritz so that they can say at home, 'I spent my vacation in St. Moritz.' These people go there for the image and those are the people I photograph. Funnily enough, mostly they are more into shopping then skiing."
"The millionaire is going to St. Moritz because the billionaire is going," adds Kryl.
Kryl has twice visited the exclusive town. The first time on his own funds and the second time, in 2010, for two months with a modest stipend from the arts foundation Fonds BKVB. Needless to say, he doesn't – or rather cannot – enjoy the luxuries of St. Moritz.
"I was able to find a affordable room but it was without a kitchen. Dinner in the restaurants of St. Moritz was killing my budget so I went to the next city over and bought a microwave."
Kryl subsisted almost entirely on Penne Arabbiata and Risotto Al Fungi – two cheap but tasty dishes. "No glamor for me!" Kryl jokes.
All images: Christian Kryl
