In June, a meaningful new art installation came to grace the ceiling of the Collège Champittet chapel – a multicoloured dove, consisting of 3,000 handmade origami pieces. Created by Belgian artist Charles Kaisin in collaboration with the entire school community, this collective artwork was made possible thanks to the individual origami birds folded by students, staff and families. It is a heartfelt tribute to the students and alumni lost in the Crans-Montana tragedy this year, inviting all those who encounter it to reflect, remember and hope. Charles Kaisin, who joined the charity evening in May to raise funds for the affected children and their families, envisions art as a collective gesture that brings people together and transforms individual contributions into a powerful shared symbol. “For me, this collective project has a lot of meaning because it’s a message about love, about spirit, about hope,” he said. “All the students worked to create the origami for this dove… It’s about the spirit of the school, creating something and becoming stronger together.” As a universal symbol of peace, the dove reflects the values of resilience, compassion and solidarity that define the Champittet community. It also invites us to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and to look to the future with hope.
At Collège Champittet, we believe that art and beauty play a key role in education, helping students to develop sensitivity, empathy and a sense of meaning. The school chapel offers a space for reflection, remembrance and contemplation, where visitors can pause and reconnect with what matters most. With our collective origami dove, we honour the memory of those we have lost while reminding ourselves of the strength we find in community. May it inspire us to uphold the values of compassion, solidarity and hope that unite our community. This installation exemplifies how art, education and reflection meet, transforming individual contributions into a powerful shared symbol that fosters resilience and hope.
