PRESS INFORMATION Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck Modern look in historical garb 2 The diversity of Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck in detail 3 Artists Biographies 6 General Information 8 Editorial notes 9 February 18 1
SWAROVSKI KRISTALLWELTEN STORE INNSBRUCK MODERN LOOK IN HISTORICAL GARB Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck is a sparkling attraction in the old town that surrounds Innsbruck s Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). It features a luminous, modern shopping ambience presented in combination with centuries-old structural elements, some of which date back as far as the Gothic period. In addition, thanks to installations by major contemporary artists such as Manish Arora, Thomas Feuerstein and Jean Paul Gaultier, Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck has become an incomparable place of wonder. The old town of Innsbruck capital of Tyrol and thus, capital to the home of Swarovski crystal is living testament to an eventful history. Both proud and not afraid of change, it has lost none of its dynamic spirit to this day. Just a few meters from the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck is located in the main center of the town, in a landmark with a rich history. For centuries, it was home to the Die Goldene Rose guest house. Today, visitors will find one of the largest Swarovski stores in the world, as well as an extraordinary shopping atmosphere: With its avant-garde appearance, which ties in with the historical flair of the old town, and framed by one of the oldest buildings in the area, it offers a combination of history and forward thinking, of the product range and contemporary art. Fascinating combinations In the entrance area the Tyrolean artist Thomas Feuerstein presents the art object PARS PRO TOTO as part of the three-part series of works IM FACETTENREICH (In the Realm of Many Facets), which presents the complexity of the world through the motif of the fruit fly and an oscillation between art and science. Inspired by Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and in reminiscence of the principle that gave rise to these venues of crystalline enchantment, Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck proudly unveils its own Chamber of Wonder. Since September 2015 the French designer Jean Paul Gaultier is staging this exhibition space of the Swarovski Kristallwelten Stores Innsbruck in his own inimitable manner. The result is a unique combination of art and haute couture. Furthermore, in many places over the two floors, you will find almost legendary innovations made out of and using crystal. The Crystal Stairs and the famous Cascade chandelier are just some of the eye-catching highlights on display. Just like in a crystalline prism that reflects the colors of the rainbow, many new ideas and motifs merge at Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck. The history of the company and of the town accompany a modern shopping and design concept it is in every sense a location of timelessness and the joy of beauty. 2
THE DIVERSITY OF SWAROVSKI KRISTALLWELTEN STORE INNSBRUCK IN DETAIL Avant-garde with a touch of history Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck was designed by architects Daniel Süß and Hanno Schlögl, who are also responsible for the unmistakable architectural concept of Swarovski Wien. They achieved the balancing act of integrating a modern image within the fabric of a historic building. The resulting spaces are light, spacious, and clearly designed, sensitively incorporated into the historic building, which is due in no small part to the close cooperation with the local office for historical monuments. Despite all the avant-garde ideas, however, the old wrought-iron tavern sign and the impressive barrel vault architecture remind us that these rooms, which used to house the Die Goldene Rose guesthouse, have many a story to tell. Many facets at Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck As soon as you enter the entrance foyer the art object PARS PRO TOTO by Tyrolean artist Thomas Feuerstein as part of the three-part series of works IM FACETTENREICH (In the Realm of Many Facets), encourage you to consider what the world would look like if seen through different eyes the eyes of an insect. Inspiration for that was a small fly of great scientific importance. In biological science, and especially in genetics, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) serves as a pivotal model organism and has today been more researched than humans. It is because of this that, in a very particular way, it has come to represent the observation of human life through the form of the body of an insect. For Thomas Feuerstein, this thought assumes a concrete form: the highly complex structure of the world is broken down into countless facets in the eyes of the fly just as we would observe the different perspectives of the world, be it through a camera, a video recorder, or a microscope. People don t just see the fly, they also see themselves and gain a puzzle-like self-perception that appears pixilated in the insect s eye. PARS PRO TOTO, which literally means one part stands for the whole, spans two floors and stylizes a pair of eyes with thousands of crystals fitted with LED lamps. They are sensitive and react to movements and shapes in the room, changing color according to body outlines and gestures. Crystal for all the senses Inspired by Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and in reminiscence of the principle that gave rise to these venues of crystalline enchantment, Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck proudly unveils its own Chamber of Wonder: The installation of Jean Paul Gaultier welcomes visitors with a glance at haute couture creations from recent years. The models are dressed in unconventional designs, each serving as a perfect backdrop to the crystals. The low-ceilinged space intensifies the drama of the mannequins' 3
setting, positioned diagonally before the visitors. Through the art installation at the Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsburck, Jean Paul Gaultier once again highlights his image as an ingenious enfant terrible who has stirred up the international fashion scene for more than 40 years. This glimpse of Gaultier s past works and current productions and creations is proof that the designer has always remained true to himself and to his own headstrong charm. Brilliant paths Swarovski crystal is a success story spanning more than one hundred years, and encompassing lifestyle, fashion, close personal collaborations with artists, and technological evolution. Ensconced within the impressive Mirrored Wall in the entrance area is an array of fascinating crystal creations and legendary pieces of history, summarized in the permanent exhibition Timeless, which relates to the eponymous area at Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) in Wattens. From Daniel Swarovski to Atelier Swarovski and from Edelweiss to Marios Schwab: This singular exhibition is devoted to the artwork that emerged from Swarovski s creative synergy with the most brilliant minds in the design scene, and made from Swarovski crystal. It begins with the earlier methods of product distribution under the tutelage of the company s founder and continues to the current exemplars from collaborative endeavors in design. The result is a fascinating 120-year odyssey through a sparkling brand universe. At the same time, this museum-like journey highlights the capacious entrance and reception areas of the Swarovski Kristallwelten Store. A trip up to the first floor will take you up a vast crystal staircase, which is made of more than 20,000 crystals and is lit from underneath by the Cascade chandelier, created by Vincent van Duysen for Swarovski Crystal Palace. The attention to detail and visual judgment of effects continues in unexpected places. Whether on the trail of Swarovski crystal tradition or the path through the crystalline interior, Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck breaks new, sparkling ground. Refreshing and multifaceted The bar offers post-shopping refreshments, or tantalizing incentives in anticipation of your shopping experience. International award-winning wines from Gernot Langes-Swarovski s traditional Argentinean winery, Bodega Norton, are available for your enjoyment. Satellite photos of Athens, Perth, Rio de Janeiro, Pretoria, Johannesburg, New York City, Dubai, Milan, Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Philadelphia taken by NASA cameras show the cities with their numerous illuminated buildings. They appear to be surreal and imposing, and are an expressive symbol of global networks. 4
Wandering between different worlds: The entire array of Swarovski brands A visit to Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck is to discover and shop among sparkling design and vibrant culture. It is also to immerse oneself in the shimmering atmosphere that emanates from Swarovski and its product range, and that Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck unites in one space: elegant jewelry, crystal figurines, modern design, and accessories for stylish lifestyles. The thematic worlds demonstrate how diverse crystal is as a material and artistic medium, how vast Swarovski s innovative power is, and how strong the partnership with the fashion and design scene is. Anyplace where fashion is made, Swarovski crystal is present. These thematic worlds offer a broad selection of trendy, extraordinary fashion, and couture pieces some created by world-famous designers. Each piece of jewelry is expressive, glamorous, and highly contemporary. At the same time, Swarovski crystal also possesses the extraordinary power of stopping the hands of time. With its classic, timeless elegance, crystalline jewelry becomes a radiant accompaniment in any situation. One thing makes it unmistakable: the clear handwriting of Swarovski. Precise cuts, brilliant purity, stylistic refinement. However, Swarovski crystal also offers the opportunity for creative minds to craft exquisite jewelry with their own signature. Charms, beads, and loose components can be combined into individual creations. Wherever the desire, mood, season, or time of day takes them: Crystal is a vibrant material for creative minds to indulge in the unrestrained joy of experimentation, and in the stories they have to tell. Swarovski crystal cheers the hearts of collectors, fans of crystal, technical experts, and anyone else who love giving glimmering gifts, or who love receiving them. They all turn up again in the thematic worlds. This promises a vast selection of gift ideas and souvenir pieces for any occasion, for any age, for any personality, for any wallet size. Unique pieces of art, in the form of the famous figurines, glimmering ideas for spatial design, technical precision instruments from the Swarovski Optik brand that make it possible to rediscover seeing. There are also countless smaller, delicate products, made from and of crystal, that add even more beauty to each day. 5
ARTISTS BIOGRAPHIES Thomas Feuerstein Thomas Feuerstein, born in Innsbruck in 1968, studied art history and philosophy, and since 1997 has held various professorships and positions as a guest professor at institutions such as the University of Innsbruck, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. He is a multimediabased artist, and his work comprises installations, drawings, objects, sculptures, photographs, Internet art, and much more. In terms of content, they are dedicated to the contradictory space between art and science, between fact and fiction, and between individuality and community. The artworks are displayed in individual and group exhibitions at international art institutions around the world, and in fall 2011 at the 4th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. His sculpture Leviathan can be seen at Swarovski Crystal Worlds. Selected individual exhibitions 2010 MANIFEST, Kunstraum Bernsteiner, Vienna WHERE DEATHLESS HORSES WEEP, Galerie Elisabeth and Klaus Thoman, Innsbruck 2009 Planet Paradies, Galerie 401contemporary, Berlin INVISIBLE HANDS, Galerie Nicola von Senger, Zurich DAIMON, Kunstverein Augsburg, Augsburg 2007 Trickster. Politiker, Dämonen, Parasiten, Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck 2005 Focus Utopia, Galerie Lelong, Zurich 2003 fiat::radikale individuen soziale genossen, Leopold Museum Vienna and Ar/ge Kunst Galerie Museum, Bolzano Jean Paul Gaultier Jean Paul Gaultier was born in a suburb of Paris in 1952 and began his career at Pierre Cardin on the day he turned 18, in the year 1970. After working with Esterel, Patou, and then back again with Cardin, he decided to start his own fashion label, sending his first collection down the catwalk in Paris in 1976. Critically acclaimed, economic success was quick to follow: By the early 1980s, he was already one of the circle of young fashion designers that the whole world was talking about. From the very start of his career, Jean Paul Gaultier strove to show that beauty has many facets and can often be encountered in places where we are least likely to expect it in a simple tin can for instance, which first became a 6
bracelet and finally turned into the packaging for his extremely successful perfume. In 1984, he introduced his first men s collection under the title Male Object and in 1997, with Gaultier Paris, he fulfilled his dream of launching an haute-couture collection. Between 2004 and 2011, he was artistic director of women s fashion at Hermès. In the course of his long career, Gaultier has also worked with dance, music, and film. His costumes for Madonna s Blond Ambition tour left an unforgettable impression on pop culture. In 2014, after 39 years of ready-to-wear collections, Gaultier decided to concentrate on haute couture and perfumes. 7
GENERAL INFORMATION Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 39 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Tel. +43 512 573 100 Fax +43 512 573 530 swarovski.innsbruck@swarovski.com swarovski.com/innsbruck facebook.com/swarovski.kristallwelten pinterest.com/kristallwelten instagram.com/kristallwelten kristallwelten.com/blog Opening hours Monday to Sunday, 8:00 to 19:30 8
EDITORIAL NOTES Press Contact MMag. Marion Plattner Mag. Magdalena Trojer PR & Media Communication Senior Professional Lead PR & Media Communication Professional D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH Tel. +43 5224 500-3372 Tel. +43 5224 500-1032 E-Mail: press.kistallwelten@swarovski.com E-Mail: press.kristallwelten@swarovski.com kristallwelten.com/press D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH Swarovski crystal has delighted people from all over the world for over 120 years. To mark Swarovski s centennial celebrations in 1995, a special place opened that turned crystal into a living experience: Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds). Together with the Swarovski Kristallwelten Stores Innsbruck and Wien, they collectively form D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH. Swarovski s three crystal-experience destinations combine art, lifestyle, and Austrian traditions with an internationally successful model for tourism. Led by Managing Director Stefan Isser, a team of 380 employees devote themselves to ensuring that visitors experience crystal in a unique way with each and every visit. Thanks to continual innovations and enhancements, D. Swarovski Tourism Services GmbH maintains a fresh and modern profile that makes it a trustworthy partner for the tourism industry and a dependable attraction for visitors to Austria. One of the most frequently visited attractions in Austria, Swarovski Crystal Worlds has delighted more than 14 million visitors since 1995. Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck Located in close proximity to the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) in Innsbruck s old town, Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Innsbruck presents a captivating combination of history and future-oriented thinking at the heart of Innsbruck. A modern shopping ambience bathed in light, and at the same time one of the largest Swarovski Stores in the world, with the entire range of products from the internationally renowned traditional Austrian company, blends with centuries-old structural elements that can be traced back as far as the Gothic period together with works by important contemporary artists. 9
Swarovski Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting. The Swarovski Crystal Business is run by the fifth generation of family members and has a global reach with approximately 2,800 stores in around 170 countries, more than 27,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.6 billion euros in 2016. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2016, the Group generated revenue of about 3.37 billion euros and employed more than 32,000 people. A responsible relationship with people and the planet is an integral part of Swarovski s heritage. The global Swarovski Waterschool education program has reached 461,000 children on the world s greatest rivers, and the Swarovski Foundation, set up in 2013, works to support culture and creativity, promote wellbeing, and conserve natural resources to achieve positive social impact. www.swarovskigroup.com 10