KEH (War Development Aid)

KEH was a satirical art project, launched 2009 by Andreas Heusser, Christof Nüssli and Christoph Oeschger. It consisted in the creation of the fictitious charity organization "War Development Aid" (KEH) and several actions performed by its representatives, Dr. Alois B. Stocher and his assistant George Klein.

Dr. Alois B. Stocher and George Klein

War Development Aid

The project was performed in the context of the 2009 Swiss vote for an exportation ban of war materials. In the same year, a report made headlines according to which Switzerland - despite official proclamations to the contrary - has granted arms exports to countries where child soldiers are deployed.[1] The satirical project was aimed to expose the hypocrisies on politicians who subordinate their Christian and humanitarian principles to the interests of the arms industry.[2] Superficially the website of KEH resembled a Christian Charity organization, but through the absurd and ridiculous texts, photomontages and videos it became apparent that it was satire: What KEH promoted was to further develop wars in development countries. All kind of weapons from firearms to tanks were alledegely collected in Switzerland and brought to needy children in third-world countries to help them protect themselves.[3]

National Weapons Collection Day

Part of the project was a "National Weapons Collection Day" in the city of Zurich, where passers-by were informed about the War Development Aid and asked to donate weapons. The project made news, when Andreas Heusser (who played Dr. Alois Stocher) announced in a press release that he will prosecute the president of the KEH, Dr. Alois Stocher, for his inhumane practices.[4]

References
  1. cf.:
  2. Wie die CVP Waffenexporte und Bergpredigt unter einen Hut bringt, Tages-Anzeiger, 10 November 2019
  3. Das Gesamtwerk Alois B. Stocher, KEH und OLAF, Philip Reding Online, 27.10.2010
  4. Waffen für Kids? Jetzt reichts!, Blick am Abend, 18 November 2009
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