Intertale/Eutopia Stop 6: Wattens, Tyrol

A day and a night in Wattens, where the art organisation Kulturverein Grammophon is working out of the Gasthaus Neuwirt, an old inn with a superb old-fashioned ballroom. Built in 1909 it was an important place for village life for almost a century. Here they are going through a period of transition from regular programming of music, cabaret, theatre and other performances to a more project-based work that hones in with the towns issues and challenges.

Situated in the Lower Inn Valley, the town is mainly known as the Swarovski crystal glass company, where no less than 3000 of the 8000 inhabitants work. The Swarovski Kristallwelten/Crystal-worlds are a different world from all the little places I have been visiting. Curated by Austrian artist André Heller, one finds here on the 1.5-hour tour crystal based art from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, James Turrell, Brian Eno – and many others. All leading glitzy but surely into the crystal shopping land of the company.

Special thanks to Alexander Erler and his team for the inspiring evening, where I talked about the town is the venue projects in Huntly. Followed by ample beers and Spätzle cooked by Andy, the inspirational and charismatic Wirt of the Neuwirt.