sommer.frische.kunst. & art:badgastein: Art makes you see. Discover your way. Discover how Bad Gastein transformed into a hotspot for art in the Alps.
For 13 years, Bad Gastein has been a summer hotspot for contemporary art. The mission of the sommer.frische.kunst. Festival, founded by Andrea von Goetz, is to make art accessible to visitors in unique locations. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian Alps and the distinctive architecture of Bad Gastein, the 2023 festival offered a truly extraordinary experience.
Under the motto “Art makes you see. Discover your way,” the festival invited guests on a journey to explore art and their personal connection to it. For the first time, this journey was guided by an art hiking map designed and illustrated by Sebastian Meschenmoser, one of the most narrative painters of his generation. The map featured 16 art stations, from installations in the town center and along the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade to the alpine heights of Sportgastein. Highlights included the spectacular “Harfen” timber structure by Olaf Holzapfel and the installation “In the Name of a Day” by Kazunori Kura.
The festival kicked off in mid-July with the opening of exhibitions on the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Promenade. Featured artists included Conny Maier (Deutsche Bank’s “Artist of the Year”), Andi Fischer, Dennis Buck, and Michael Günzer, whose exhibition “DORF” at the RADON PAVILLON explored the dynamic between periphery and center through distinct artistic expressions.
The IKE ROOM hosted the “Pegasus Product Power Peckerl Paradies”, a performative exhibition by the Berlin-based artist group PEGASUS PRODUCT (Gernot Seeliger, Dargelos Kersten, Anton Peitersen). Meanwhile, Danni Pantelpresented a solo show at HAUS MIMI, focusing on the interplay of form, color, and space. Following her, Katharina Prantl exhibited works from her series “Tropfen” at the same venue.
The artist Franziska Agrawal bridged art and design with her sculpture THE PEAK, unveiled during a musical performance with musician Stefanie Boltz at the Alpenlofts.
Building on its success, 2023 marked the second edition of art:badgastein, a refreshing alternative to large-scale art fairs. It emphasized meaningful exchanges between artists, collectors, and galleries in a serene and unhurried environment.
Following the art fair, six international artists took up residency at the Kraftwerk, working in its studios for nearly a month. Inspired by the majestic waterfall and stunning natural surroundings, their creations reflected a dialogue with Bad Gastein. The residency concluded with an exhibition in August, showcasing the works of the 2023 artists-in-residence: Vanshika Agrawal, Lena Göbel, Nikola Pjevačević, Maria Szakats, Ozmo, and Edin Zenun.
For the past 13 years, dan pearlman has been proud to support Andrea von Goetz and the sommer.frische.kunst. team with communication, press, and design efforts for the festival. Each year, this collaboration results in the creation of a magazine, invitations, posters, social media content, and much more.
Learn more at: artbadgastein.com
