COLLABORATIONS
Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber
“Invisible hardship lives among us”
How do you reveal something that can’t be seen?
The campaign by the Social Work of Pastor Sieber tackles this question in a striking way: A man sits on a park bench in the middle of a busy city — yet hardly anyone notices him. Through detailed body painting, his body blends in perfectly with the surroundings. Passers-by walk past without ever realizing he’s there. Exactly the way people in need are overlooked every single day.
For this campaign, SWS Communications Director Walter von Arburg allowed himself to be painted from head to toe. The internationally acclaimed body-painting artist and former world champion Melanie Rodel from Bern created a realistic camouflage effect that makes him almost disappear into the background.
“Just because you don’t see suffering doesn’t mean it hurts any less — quite the opposite.”
With this campaign, the Social Work of Pastor Sieber aims to raise awareness for forms of hardship that are often ignored: loneliness, mental illness, poverty, or homelessness. Many people live among us — and yet they remain unseen.
Invisible hardship lives among us.
This campaign makes it visible.
Responsible at Evoq:
Adrian Schaffner (Concept, Idea), Marta Frieden (Campaign Design), Martina Hareter (Video, Editing), Marcel Marty and Beatrice Burkart (Programming), Claudia Wehrli (Website Design), Federico Naef (Photography), Melanie Rodel (Body Painting)
Responsible at the Social Work of Pastor Sieber:
Walter von Arburg (Head of Communications), Hansueli Gujer (Fundraising)(pd/as)
Solidar Suisse
Der Mensch ist keine Maschine
Whether in factories, on plantations, or in private households — millions of people around the world are shamelessly exploited. They are treated like machines that are expected to run day and night, with no breaks, no protection, and no holidays.
The new campaign by Solidar Suisse shines a light on these injustices and reminds us that human dignity is not negotiable. No person should ever be reduced to a tool, a commodity, or a replaceable part.
Through powerful, striking visuals created in collaboration with Swiss contortion artist Nina Burri, the message is unmistakable:
A human being is not a machine.
The campaign calls for respect, fair working conditions, and accountability — from governments, companies, and consumers. Exploitation only continues when society looks away.
Responsible at Solidar Suisse:
Marco Eichenberger (Head of Fundraising)
Responsible at Spinas Civil Voices:
Stephan Huwiler, Matthias Freuler (Creative Direction),
Meike Sprankel (Consulting),
Simon Opladen (Photography),
Annie Ryser, Melanie Rodel (Body Painting),
Retusche Stoller (Image Editing);
Nina Burri (Contortion Artist)
Ortho-Team
Breast Prosthetics Event in Bern
As a bodypainting artist, I had the honor of taking part in the Only Ladies Night hosted
by ORTHO-TEAM Bern – an day devoted entirely to the needs, emotions, and experiences of women who have undergone breast surgery. During the reception, two models showcased the latest lingerie and swimwear collections from Anita and Amoena, and the excitement in the room was palpable.
Over the course of several hours, my live bodypainting performance turned a breast-operated model into a radiant, blossoming flower. Each brushstroke was meant to do more than create beauty – it was meant to carry a message: strength, femininity, courage, and the blossoming that follows difficult times.
I am especially grateful to our model, who placed so much trust and patience in me. Together, we created an image that goes far beyond the surface – a symbol of confidence and vibrant life energy.
Watching the reactions from the audience was deeply moving. Many women shared afterwards how strongly the artwork touched them. That is why I create art: to show that beauty has many shapes, and that scars tell stories – they are not flaws.
This evening was a powerful reminder of how important connection, visibility, and courage are. I am truly grateful to have been part of such a meaningful event.
MIS MAGAZIN
Behind the Scenes of Nina Burri’s Cover Shoot
The cover photoshoot showcases the exquisite jewelry creations of Sabine Thuler, Yvonne Schediwy, Punctum Aureum, and the goldsmiths Aeschlimann and Zigerli + Iff, brought to life as only Nina Burri can. In the video, experience up close as bodypainting artist Melanie Rodel transforms the snake woman step by step into a dazzling “Golden Girl.”
Tonhalle Zürich
Behind the Scenes Cover Shoot
Genostis AG
Swiss Precision Meets Art
For the commercial of Genostis AG, we experienced an incredible day in Zurich.
Under the creative direction of Herbie Betschart, we transformed a professional dancer with bodypainting into a living work of art – beautifully captured in the film, which showcases Swiss bone implants in a unique and captivating way.
A big thank you to Panimage GmbH, also known for the series WILDER, for their professional production, and to the entire team who brought this vision to life.
Production: PANIMAGE GmbH
Agency: startbahnwest AG / samuelknaus.com
Client: Genostis AG
Director: Mei Fa Tan, DOP: Ludovic Matthey, Bodypainting: Herbie Betschart & Melanie Rodel, Music: Adriano Koch, Editing: Carmen Walker
Anomie Belle
Video Production - Violence
Produced by Nathalie Ishak With: Arnaud Huguenin, Adeline Emery, Jessica Goudron, Pauline Voser, Elise Quero First Assistant: Alexandre Gaeng Image: Gregory Bindschedler, Assistant Cam: Sandy Schmid, 2nd Assistant Cam: Lionel Balmer, Electros: Lisa Skory, Miles Guidetti, Johan Widmer Make up, Bodypainting and Costumes: Mélanie Rodel Headpeaces: Oscar Lage, Olivia Cooreman Stage Management: Léo Marthaler Photographe : Brigitte Besson Editing: Kevin Schlosser Post Production: Grégory Terlikowski
Lil Lou
Video Production - Medusa
Artist: (Lil Lou) Louisa Loosli Producers; Basil Oberli, Joachim Janowski, Dimitri Valavanis Directors: Joachim Janowski, Basil Oberli DOP: Basil Oberli Camera operator: Augustin Losserant 1st. Assistant camera: Raphael Dubach 1st Assistant director: Nura Eissa Editing: Basil Oberli, Joachim Janowski Special effects: Joachim Janowski Color correction: Basil Oberli Runner1: Jascha Püntener Best Boy: Martin Schenk Gaffer: Lorenz Gurtner Photographer Covershoot/ Set constructor: Florian Spring Set constructor /MVP: Nicola Zaugg Bodypainting: Melanie Rodel & assistant Alex Freiburghaus, Make-up artist: Anushya Arudchelvan Snake owner: Luana Spycher Behind the scenes camera: Carlo Bischoff Basic idea: Dimitri Valavanis Lyrics: Dimitri Valavanis Dancer1: Joanita Sidi Dancer2: Caroline Staubli Dancer3: Fabienne Zehnder Dancer4: Manuela Zehnder Special