Where art enhances the history of the valley – and vice versa
The Görtschitztal “Valley Museum” in Klein St. Paul is also a permanent exhibition of Werner Hofmeister’s conceptual art, which acts as a contemporary reflector of the historical exhibits. The result is an exciting mixture of objects that makes this valley and spring museum a unique place.
Werner Hofmeister has an artist’s head full of ideas. One of his best, because it has such a broad impact, was probably to overlap the well-known concept of a “valley museum” with a permanent exhibition of his personal conceptual art. The two coexist peacefully in the Lachnitzhof in Klein St. Paul.
History and constructs
The result is a third location in which the eventful, millennia-old history of the Görtschitztal valley is reflected in Hofmeister’s artistic works – and vice versa. Where old relics of Norse iron production are shown (specifically: a forging furnace), Hofmeister’s installation with dancing figures joins them. The association with the traditional maturing dance of the Hüttenberg miners is immediate, although completely reinterpreted by the artist. The “Source History” room shows the extent to which history is always constructed by its writers: In it, Werner Hofmeister has compiled supposed “evidence” of his source culture – trademarked by the letter Q – in all eras. From cave paintings to Celtic ceramics. An amusing food for thought, especially against the backdrop of the current fake news debate.
References to the Görtschitztal
The artist’s aspiration to create references to the history, stories and landscape of the Görtschitztal valley accompanies visitors throughout the entire museum area, including in the outdoor sculpture park. A local find from prehistoric times – double heads carved in stone – finds an unmistakable counterpart in the park as a steel installation. The “Prayer Rocket” represents urgent requests to the higher spiritual authority. And the “Himmelspflüger”, a kind of weathercock in the form of an inverted tractor scissor cut, obviously borrows its shape from the prayer wheels on the Hüttenberg Lingkor.
Cultural hub in the valley
Everything in this museum of valleys and springs seems to be interwoven, nothing stands alone. In this respect, Werner Hofmeister has achieved yet another special feat here: To offer both history buffs and art lovers a point of attraction. As a visitor, you will be confronted with the other area anyway. You could also say that a broad-based cultural educational mission has been overfulfilled here. And in a tremendously subtle way.
News
New since 2018: The Quellenmuseum grows every year with interventions by guest artists. In June 2018, the “Reliquary Shrine” by Götz Bury on the outside wall of the museum was added to the collection.
Werner Hofmeister also designed the (previously rather unsightly) garage front at the edge of the sculpture park with a story in his visual language, which critically examines the prevailing flood of information and opinions under the motto “We ask you, hear you”.
