The answer is obvious for local and cantonal authorities in Zurich. A district court accused 77-year-old Naegeli of causing almost CHF10,000 ($10,250) of damage to city property with 25 pieces of graffiti sprayed in 2012 and 2013.
In his defence, Naegeli delivered what the Swiss News Agency described as a “theatrical” performance. Facing the judges, he cried out “I accuse! I accuse you of eliminating, destroying, making invisible, unusable and qualifying as criminal, works of art – no matter who they are done by – instead of protecting and conserving them as culture would want.”
In conclusion, the judge ordered that Naegeli and the local authorities get together and settle out of court. Should the local authorities agree to drop charges, no judgement will be made.
This is not the first time Naegeli has had a brush with the law. As an early proponent of street art, he acquired the “sprayer of Zurich” moniker in the late 1970s when he began anonymously painting wire-frame figures on buildings in the city.
Some 1,000 works later, in 1979, he was arrested on charges of defacing public property, which he countered by describing himself as a political activist. He initially fled to Germany, where he was sentenced to prison in absentia, but in 1984 he returned and handed himself in to spend nine months in jail.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss-backed ‘Hera’ asteroid mission hits key milestone with Mars flyby
This content was published on
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Red Planet’s gravity will tweak the probe’s path, cutting months off the journey and saving a lot of fuel.
Swiss man arrested over Geneva parcel bomb attacks
This content was published on
A 61-year-old Swiss man was arrested in Geneva in connection with the parcel bomb incidents that left a man and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
This content was published on
Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Swiss pharma giant Roche partners with Zealand Pharma on new obesity treatment
This content was published on
Roche announced that it has struck an exclusive deal with Denmark's Zealand Pharma to develop and market petrelintide, a new treatment for obesity.
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss street art thrives in the mainstream
This content was published on
Jerking awake on the commute from Zurich, the sight of a large, green/grey wild-eyed face plastered on concrete heralds Bern’s urban outskirts.
This content was published on
Does public space belong to everyone? This becomes hard to answer in a country with a tradition of direct democracy, where even art projects designed for public spaces can fall victim to a popular vote – or the threat of one. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)
Whenever art invades the public space, questions inevitably arise. Some cannot identify with it, others lament the “waste of money”. Who decides which art might be appropriate for the masses?
While public spaces should belong to everybody, inspiring content and the taste of the majority rarely coincide.
Public space can becomes a battleground where different conflicts are fought. On one side the needs of a community, on the other, the independence and freedom of art. Art thrives on being uncompromising and the element of surprise. It breaks the status quo and attracts contrasting viewpoints.
In Switzerland this tussle began with the Zurich graffiti artist Harald Naegeli. He used the city like a canvas. The more his drawings appeared on the walls, the more aggressive were the reactions. It’s a conflict that continues today.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.