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astronomical orchard (malm)

The MALM collective will take over the orchard of the Vevey Astronomical Observatory for their residency. The site hosts a community garden (Permariviera), an orchard of about fifteen fruit trees and shrubs (Prospecierara), as well as an Astronomical Observatory run by its members (SAHL). It will culminate in a public and collective sharing on 3 and 4 October 2026.

MALM brings together Margaux Bula, geographer and visual artist; Amaranta Fontcuberta, biologist and science-society mediator; Laura Gönczy, filmmaker; and Mathilda Olmi, photographer. Their diverse practices and perspectives come together to create artistic, documentary and sensitive forms.

Thy develop an artistic, social and environmental practice that explores the relationships between living beings, territories and ecosystems. Attentive to the specificities of the places they inhabit, they create projects that invite us to observe, explore and celebrate the richness of the living world.

https://malmcollectif.com/

Commoning

The work of the MALM collective originates in ordinary places, often on the margins of spaces dedicated to art, and is interested in what unfolds there, paying attention to the materials, gestures, stories, and knowledge that circulate within them.

In the Verger de l'Observatoire in Vevey, a plot of public land enclosed between private properties, the collective centered its work around the notion of "making common."

Faced with drought and water scarcity, observation of the site and its inhabitants — trees, birds, humans — gave rise to clay forms, a kind of prosthesis modeled in situ on the trees, becoming birdhouses or watering troughs.

This approach was accompanied by a collection of songs related to common lands, water, agricultural labor, and collective struggles. Passed from voice to voice, they became a shared and regular practice throughout the summer, making ancient stories resonate in the orchard alongside present-day concerns.

With the idea of "hosting a gathering" among the fruit trees, a raisinée (apple butter) was conceived. Apples — gleaned, given, or collected from neighborhood residents — were brought together to be transformed collectively. During the long hours of cooking over the fire, the public is invited to stop and share a moment of passing time. The recipe, gathered here and there, itself becomes a gesture of transmission and memory. The work is built as a space of encounter and of coming together in common.

Events:

  • Singing the Commons, choir:

    Next dates: 24.09 / 03.10 at 18h30-20h00

    The chosen songs evokes the pooling of agricultural land and the ties that bind us to a territory. No musical experience is necessary: you just need to want to lend your voice to the group. Sheet music will be handed out on site. Address: Sentier des Ruerettes, 1800 Vevey.
  • Collective Apple collection & community "raisinée" (apple butter)

    from September 9 to 30, 2026

    We need you! You can bring your juicing apples to one of the partner collection points: Le Bachibouzouk / Café des Argiles / Vevey Tourist Office / épicoop / Bokoloko.

    On October 3, from early morning and over 24 hours, the juice from your apples will be cooked on site at the Astronomical Observatory to make a thick, tasty raisinée (apple butter). On Sunday the 4th, you'll be able to come pick up your jar of raisinée, ready to enjoy this winter.

Closing weekend program

October 3, 10am–midnight

  • Exhibition in the orchard, 10am–7pm
  • Cooking of the raisinée, until midnight
  • Community singing (citizens' choir), 5–7pm
  • Vegan crêpes by Chouette Galette, in collaboration with artisan Isciyo, 3–9pm
  • Cider from Acta Non Verba, 6–10pm
  • [in parallel at the Astronomical Observatory] "Planetarium: stargazing" session, 6:30–8:15pm (registration required on the Observatory's website, limited spots)

October 4: until noon