Alpine ARTtime at Gurgl Carat

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.