Artist sells ‘Swiss passports’ in UK ahead of Brexit

Visitors to the Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in London are normally intent on buying art. But for 24 hours this weekend it’s open for the issue of Swiss passports – at a bargain price. The issuing authority isn’t the Swiss government but American artist Tom Sachs.

Tom Sachs has previously set up his temporary installation Swiss Passport Office in Brooklyn and San Francisco.

On offer (in a batch of 3000) are apparently convincing facsimiles of a Swiss passport, which Sachs describes as “one of the most desirable travel documents ever”.

People who turn up at the gallery in Mayfair first have to lodge 20 euros with the receptionist and have their photograph taken before filling in an application form. No sterling currency will be accepted. Eventually applicants are ushered into an office to be quizzed by one of four officials seated at desks.

Some of the information required is standard. But questions such as “Have you ever supported evil?”, “How many sexual partners have you had in the last year?” and “How many of its Instagram followers has the BBC bought?” go beyond the usual.

BBC