86.8 tonnes of sand. The planned six-metre-high block did not hold its shape. What remained was a mound of sand on Münsterplatz.
Behind it lies an issue of growing urgency: sand is consumed in enormous quantities worldwide – faster than it can form naturally. FOR SAND aims to draw attention to this.
People stop. They look, discuss and ask questions. Among them was Michel Pfister, lecturer at the Institute of Architecture at FHNW Muttenz, who came to Münsterplatz with his 16 students. In conversation with Klaus Littmann, they explored FOR SAND and the questions the project raises.
Perhaps the sudden collapse has drawn more attention to the issue than the planned gradual erosion would have.
On 1 December 2026, the exhibition “FOR SAND – Fascination and Resource” opens at FOR ART at Rittergasse 25 in Basel. It continues the exploration of sand as a fascinating material and an increasingly scarce resource.
FOR SAND is made possible with the kind support of:
Christoph Merian Stiftung
Swisslos-Fonds Basel-Stadt
Egeler Lutz AG
and private supporters
Video: Martin Streitwolf
more about FOR ART – A Temporary Art Intervention by Littmann Kulturprojekte. Basel 2025–2028