Gurgl, art, Gurgl Carat Gurgl, art, Gurgl Carat
Home / Carat.Blog / Alpine ARTtime

Alpine ARTtime at Gurgl Carat

Space for art & culture in an alpine setting

The mountains - they are not only a place of longing and a fabulous backdrop, but also a motif for six artists who are deeply rooted in Ötztal. Their masterworks are as unique as the alpine landscape itself. Inspired by nature, they tell stories in visual form. Anyone interested can admire the works of art at the Gurgl Carat exhibition held from 24 July to 15 August 2022.

Gurgl, art, Gurgl Carat

Mountains as a motif

Mountains as far as the eye can see. Gurgl Carat not only boasts top modern media technology – an evident fact when it comes to the Alpine ARTtime. Thanks to its flexible room concept, the hall area can be adjusted quite individually, single elements can be placed freely in the room, the high ceilings provide enough space while the large window façade ensures atmospheric light effects. The mountains are not only a motif of the small and large works of art that can be admired throughout Gurgl Carat, but also a unique backdrop. Nature and art are merging and provide unique alpine insights and outlooks.

Gurgl, winter, Gurgl Carat Gurgl, winter, Gurgl Carat

An evening dedicated to art & culture

The vernissage on 23 July marks the start of Alpine ARTtime. On a mild summer evening, guests are welcomed with quaint alpine music in the foyer of the congress and event center. Fine Austrian wine from the Scheiber winery and delicious appetizers prepared by the neighboring See You Restaurant promise the right mood for an evening of art, enjoyment and regionality. Felix Kupfer, Managing Director of Gurgl Carat, is as well very happy about the exhibition opening: "Our architectural gem is the perfect setting for unique art." Not only meetings, conferences and seminars are held in Europe's highest congress center, but also art and culture find their place here. The mayor of the municipality of Sölden, Ernst Schöpf, is particularly concerned about the local approach. He is very pleased that Gurgl Carat focuses "on regional themes".

But the connection between nature and art is nothing new at all. In the laudatory speech by Edith Hessenberger, the guests learn that Ötztal has always fascinated artists. The managing director of the Ötztal Museums reports on artists and painters (mainly men at the time) who discovered the beauty of Ötztal for themselves even long before the first summer vacationers and tourists came. Then as now, artists are inspired by the mountains and the landscape and show their perspective on the country and its people through their artworks. The works are not only to be seen as a reflection of nature, but also as a reflection of each individual artist. The different images of the exhibition show how individual the examination of the motif "mountain" can be. From acrylic painting to photography, from watercolor to charcoal, from analogue to digital and from small format to large canvas - really everything is included.

Deeply rooted in Ötztal, at home in the world

A total of six artists present themselves on occasion of the Alpine ARTtime at Gurgl Carat. As different as their techniques and works may be, they are connected by their strong bond to Ötztal and their love for the mountains. Tirol’s longest side valley serves as a place to live and work, is their home, a holiday retreat and/or a source of inspiration.

Alexander Maria Lohmann
The artist from Obergurgl is now known all over the world. His works combine seemingly irreconcilable things. As a trained photographer, his images consist of progressive photography, overpainting and interesting collages. "What I see is always much better than what I can show," Lohmann explains. This is exactly where art comes into play for him because it is no better than reality but opens up a different perspective.
Nino Malfatti
Born in Tirol, he lives in Berlin and Sautens and devotes his work primarily to the structures and rocks of the Alpine landscape. He finds his motifs on hikes, and from sketches and photos he creates world-class paintings in his studio. Not only the mountains are constantly changing, but as well the artists. Malfatti is certain that "the study of painting still has not ended to this day".
Anna Vogel
Born in Düsseldorf, she has been living in Umhausen / Ötztal for three years. In her studio she creates works that are characterized by the experimental use of photography. Several alienation techniques are intended to stimulate the viewer's imagination and draw him or her under the spell of her pictures. For Vogel, art also has a lot to do with the freedom of being an artist, said the local Ötztal by choice during the vernissage at Gurgl Carat.
Jessie Pitt
"Art has always been a part of my life," is how the artist, originally from Australia, describes her attitude towards art. With her works she wants to give the viewer the feeling she has herself when looking at the mountains. Additionally, her art is also meant as a wake-up call. Soon the glaciers she paints will probably no longer exist. The protection of nature and environment is a matter of the heart for her.
Hannah Philomena Scheiber
The artist from Obergurgl studied art in Vienna, Florence and New York and has been working intensively on the subject of landscape since 2014. She has her studio in Imst, but the motifs of her pictures mostly come from Ötztal. Her style is sometimes more realistic, sometimes more abstract, her favorite color is ultramarine blue. In her laudatory speech, Hessenberger not only praised Scheiber's sense of art, but also that she emphasized the value of collaboration and cooperation.
Peter Stoeckl
"For me, art means that I can find myself and calm down, away from the hustle and bustle," says Stoeckl, whose mother was born in Ötztal. The scientist and artist was an assistance professor of graphics and advertising at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. His works are characterized by the diverse use of colors and forms. He particularly appreciates the combination of beauty and pragmatism in Ötztal.
Gurgl, art, Gurgl Carat

Economy, science & culture under one roof

It is no coincidence that an art exhibition of international format is taking place at the rear end of Ötztal. The Gurgl Carat congress and event center was built in 2020 with the following goal: to combine economy, science and culture. Countless meetings, conferences and corporate events have already taken place at Gurgl Carat. Scientific congresses with up to 400 people were held at Gurgl Carat. As a university location, Obergurgl offers the perfect conditions for excursions and scientific work. In addition to these two pillars, Gurgl Carat should also serve as a cultural space and revive the village center of Obergurgl. It is a great meeting place for guests, locals and interested people. Art exhibitions such as the Alpine ARTtime with matching workshops are made to measure for this Alpine Atelier in Ötztal.

Gurgl, art, Gurgl Carat
Lara Brunner

Author

Lara Brunner is a freelance copywriter and specialist in content marketing. As a studied Germanist, she writes about all topics related to Gurgl Carat in the Carat.Blog. The Tirolean-by-choice seeks and finds inspiration for her texts amid unspoilt nature in Gurgl. That is why she spends most of her free time in the Ötztal mountains. With hiking boots or on skis, she prefers to explore the many three-thousand meter high summits in the immediate vicinity of Gurgl Carat.

Updates from Gurgl Carat

Our newsletter will always keep you up to date by providing you with exciting insights and background information about events held at Gurgl Carat. We will inform you about interesting blog posts, event highlights, strategic partnerships and important innovations.

* Mandatory field

By subscribing to the newsletter, you agree to the processing of your personal data as described in more detail in our privacy policy. The newsletter subscription can be revoked at any time.