New installations in the Dachstein caves:
Art and the cave.
Humans made their mark in the form of artwork in these caves thousands of years ago, overwhelmed by the natural showcase of this mysterious location. Visitors to the Dachstein caves have been able to explore the artwork of young artists from the University of Art in Linz (space & design strategy) for the last few years.
The experience of these untold spaces is brought to life in a special way using contemporary, not just Stone Age, techniques. We would like to describe some of the projects in detail by way of an example – although the actual experience cannot be adequately described in words or images: how better to experience light and sound than on-site, in conjunction with nature?
Project team and contact – for more information on the project, see Kunstinszenierung.
Breathe
Breathe light and sound installation, 2006, Dachstein Ice cave,
Alexander Wiethoff
Visitors can experience the giant Ice cave as a ‘living organism’ through a pulsating light and sound installation which develops dynamically within the space, to the rhythm of human breathing. If you synchronise your breathing with it, you will feel your inner being becoming part of the powerful Dachstein massif. The dynamic changes to the ice formations are also themed.
La Linea
La Linea Cave Scan laser installation, 2006, Dachstein Mammut Cave, Georg Brunader, Johannes Dichtinger, Harald Freudenthaler
This project is not about accessing the old system of the Dachstein which dates back thousands of years, but rather working with what exists now – the cave and its stone surface. A laser beam which swivels 180 degrees highlights the surface of the Mammut Cave. The figures which emerge as a result of the moving beam on the wall are reminiscent of the cartoon characters of Italian cartoonist Osvaldo Cavandoli: the light installation takes its name from the big-nosed whinging cartoon character ‘La Linea’.
Incidences of light
Light Incidences shadow installation, 2006, Dachstein Mammut Cave,
Judith Moser
The entire cave area is altered through the apparent emergence a ‘Gothic church window’ in the form of light. Initially only perceptible as a distant shimmer, visitors are suddenly presented with a window which opens unexpectedly onto the outside (the Dachstein massif is thereby ‘de-materialised’) and the rock massifs above the caves disappear.
In reality, this is simply an interplay of light and shade which creates the impression of a sacred space and evokes a strong sense of the gentle frisson of the gloomy, cool and somewhat eerie inner space. Bizarre objects made from aluminium sheets or wire create shadows in places which cannot be explained by the shape of the objects but which are reminiscent of early cave paintings – this time made visible on the cave walls using modern-day techniques.
I-Man Climber Max
I-Man Climber Max video projection, 2006, Dachstein Ice Cave, Rob Aigner, Markus Haimburger, Wolfgang Gratt
As visitors stand impressed by the powerful architecture of the cave, for a brief moment something is seen scuttling along the cave wall: it’s a climber – but only a quarter the size of an adult human. Irritated yet intrigued, he experiences the proportions of the natural cave from a new angle before the resolution is found: the climber is a video projection and is intended not least as a humorous reminder of the time when the Dachstein caves were discovered. When producing the film, the cliff was measured at this point and reproduced as a ‘climbing wall’ (at 4 x the magnification) on the floor. With the aid of so-called bluebox technology, the climbing figure was filmed from a crane, ‘cut’ from the background and projected onto this original position.
Crystal Stellar Pieces
Crystal stellar pieces light installation, 2007, Dachstein Giant Ice Cave,
Gerald Rossbacher
When water is transformed from its gaseous state to its solid state, it forms magnificent structures such as snowflakes, frost patterns, frost and hoarfrost, all of which are based on the hexagonal crystal structure of this element. The ‘Stellar Pieces’ installation consists of a cloud of luminous 6-point stars floating across the space and which, when viewed from a certain position, come together to form a larger sparkling crystal shape. Positioned towards the end ofthe route through St. Arthur’s Dome, ‘Stellar Pieces’ marks the transition to the following ice passage. www.masinka.net
Rain Drum
Rain Drum acoustic installation, 2007, Koppenbrüller Cave, Pepi Maier
A drum positioned on high stilt-like supports is situated in the Koppenbrüller Cave at a location where water is dripping from the cave ceiling. The droplets fall onto the pelt of the drum and generate a rhythmic beat. The Koppenbrüller Cave is a water-bearing cave in the Dachstein area. The object attracts the attention of visitors to the dropping of the water – water which has penetrated the mountain over an extensive period of time to emerge at this point from the cave ceiling. Water is the shaping element of caves. The rhythmic beat is indicative of the passing of time. The drum and supports are made from CrNi steel. The pelt is made from a water-proof plastic.
Höhl dir Zeit (Time for yourself)
‘Höhl dir Zeit’ Ticketing installation 2007, Dachstein Ice Cave /Mammut Cave, Philipp Erlach
Dachstein World Heritage Branding CI implementation 2006
development layer: Gerda Haunschmied
image photos: Leonie Wiedenhoff
The re-launch of the overall product is strongly anchored in time and space, in association terms: the Dachstein, part of the Alps, is already a well-known term at a historical, regional and international level. Value has recently been added to this term: World Heritage – a certification which, in tourism terms, has not yet been proven through content, promoted and associated with a theme.
The branding of the tourism content re-launch is based on: no new terms will be introduced but rather established terms will be re-coded and updated, the brand will accompany all offers and thereby shape the overall presence: the Corporate Identity.
The logo comprises 2 elements:
The word and image brand characteristics: ‘stamp’ association: massif, primary rock, cliff wall, geological, sustainable in the future, not fashionable, usable for a long time, high level of recognisability, dynamic; product information can be changed but brand retained.
Layer characteristic: ‘gesture’ association: mountain, caves, cave drawing, lightness, light hearted, traces etc. Not fashionable - usable for a long time, high level of recognisability
Word and image logo and layer can be used individually or combined for an unmistakeable contemporary and sustainable overall presence. In terms of their characteristics, the clear word and image logo and layer contrast with the dominant highly interchangeable CI presences featured within the overall national and international presence in the Alpine region at the moment.
New staging - Dachstein World Heritage Project Team:
Overall project management: Prof. Elsa Prochazka
Assistance: Daniela Herold, Volker Gessendorfer
Project Management: Prof. Andreas Kieninger
Artistic Direction - Caves: Pepi Maier
Project Management CI: Peter Döllmann
Project Management CA: Walter Gruss
Merchandising: Daniela Herold
Photo Documentation: Josef Pausch
Studio Management: Herbert Winklehner
Technical Consultation: Arthur Viehböck, Markus Eiblmayer
Study Assistance: Violeta Rogic, Gerda Haunschmid, Till Moser
Office Strategies: Gertraud Kliment, Birgit Füreder
The students from the space & design strategies project were actively involved in the overall project development as part of their study programme – the best works have been curated.
robert aigner, amir andamy-velayati, georg brunader, constantin chaber, barbara connert, johannes dichtinger, philipp erlach, christine foglar, christoph franz, harald freudenthaler, silke grabinger, wolfgang gratt, markus haimburger, gerda haunschmid, stefan hofer, maximilian huebner, alexander huemer, stefan kainbacher, maria kletzmayr, franz landl, marlene leichtfried, eva-maria mähr, michael meier, christian mittermayr, judith moser, till moser, johann murk, silvia mussmann, elisabeth pfeffer, florian pfusterer, jan pleschko, bernhard reingruber, violeta rogic, roland schmidt, mathias schnell, helene schoissengeyr, christian schrenk, sabine sickinger, johannes steininger, switlana trattmayr, violetta wakolbinger, leonie wiedenhoff, franz wielach, alexander wiethoff, gerald rossbacher, künstler (R&D graduate)
Contact:
space & design strategies
Univ. Prof. Elsa Prochazka
Reindlstrasse 16 - 18
4040 Linz Austria
