Press Centre
Colours.Rhythms.Realms
BRAZIL AS A GUEST IN THE GIANT
22 November 2008 – 31 March 2009
During the quiet winter months the Giant in Wattens/Tyrol invites extraordinary artists from distant lands to the Crystal Worlds and transforms his realm into a single large stage for fantasy and music, art and culture. After the enthralling festivals provided by China, Australia, Iceland, Russia and India, Swarovski Kristallwelten is now host to tropically exotic Brazil for the next four months, presenting fascinating insights into the large variety of its landscapes, inhabitants, traditions and arts under the title COLOURS.RHYTHMS.REALMS.
When crystalline fantasy in Wattens meets culture and art, then the Giant is host to an exotic country. Crystal is pure fascination and a symbol of fantasy and transformation. This living interaction also characterises the winter performance in the Crystal Worlds, which takes the visitor to a different distant country year after year.
During the next four months, Swarovski Crystal Worlds will transfer dreams into real images which could hardly be more versatile. Colourful, exotic Brazil is a guest in the wintery Giant. South America's sun touches the snow of the Alps. "I cordially invite you to bask in the exotic variety of the South American joy of life while in wintery Tyrol," says Andreas Braun, CEO of the Swarovski Kristallwelten on occasion of the opening.
From 22 November 2008 to 31 March 2009, various exhibitions place Brazil's artistic life into the central focus of the crystalline fantasy world in Wattens. "Our guests experience both our newly transformed Chambers of Wonder and a unique synthesis of art, enchantment and crystal," explained Braun, "because after all the energy of the Crystal Worlds is based on permanent change."
"Brazil as a Guest in the Giant" would like to draw attention to the unknown, contemporary Brazil and therefore invited a number of extraordinary artists to represent their home country. This gave rise to a new, diverse and sometimes even controversial image of today's Brazil, which however does not lose any of its vitality and beauty.
Rio's little Miracle
A real miniature Favela was built up in the Giant's entrance marquee. Favela.Morrinho is not only a detailed copy of the anthropospheres in Brazilian suburbs and slums, but also allows a glance at the Favela inhabitants' dreams of life. The young artists creating the "Favela Morrinho", described as "Rio's little miracle" by the international art scene, became one of Brazil's most renowned cultural ambassadors as soon as they appeared at the Art Biennial in Venice. The Samba.Cube in the park of the Crystal Worlds is where Brazilian photographer Helmut Batista enables a 360° view of the fantastic atmosphere of the world renowned Sambadromo and provides an electrifying live introduction to the "Rio Carnaval". The antipole to this effervescent urban joy of life is then created by the Amazonia, the "Uncut Jewel", in which you can contemplatively trace the natural wonders of the tropical rain forest.
The Crystal Worlds' entrance hall allows renewed submersion into pulsating rhythms. Hourly Capoeira dance performances allow visitors to experience the irrepressible Brazilian joy of life. Capoeira is a passionate mixture of dance, acrobatics, ritual and play, as popular in Brazil as the famous Samba, which is the centre of attraction during the electrifying Samba.Party on 13 March 2009.
Lost.Art – Untamed Brazil
The two photographers Louise Chin und Ignacio Aronovich from São Paulo who founded the LOST ART studio, have committed themselves to the documentation of everyday Brazilian life and use the Gallery to display photographic impressions of untamed Brazil from the past 15 years.
Graffiti from São Paulo – starting February 2009
Graffiti is understood as the continuation of abstract painting, calligraphy and comics. From February 2009, Rafael Calazan Pierri, Brazil's most famous Graffiti artist, will introduce his personal attitude of life between the Sugar Loaf and the jungle in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. Under the pseudonym Highraff, Pierri achieved his international breakthrough in 1997. Highraff's Graffiti is always an expressive fusion between graphic perfection, clearly delineated comic aesthetics and unusual colouring precision.
Brazil.Design
A further exhibition focus is dedicated to Brazilian design. Well-known Brazilian designers reflect their individual sense of home in the form of extraordinary creations with CRYSTALLIZEDTM – Swarovski Elements, thus creating the connection between Brazil and the Chambers of Wonder in Wattens. The Austrian designer Johanna M. Stocker directs her gaze to her dream country Brazil from the outside.
Architecture and Cineastics
Two exhibitions in collaboration with aut. architektur und tirol accompany the circle of exhibitions at the Crystal Worlds. Architecture.Brazil "Vilanova Artigas, Lina Bò Bardi, Paulo Mendes da Rocha – “Eine Spurensuche in Brasilien” [Tracking in Brazil] by Günter Richard Wett displays the buildings and concepts of central Brazilian architects in photo and film documentaries from 15 January 2009. Architectural students show their Brazilian.Travelogue in the Archiv für Baukunst [Architectural Archive]. They portrayed impressive structures by Brazilian architects during their travels through the metropolises São Paulo, Brasilia, Salvador and Rio. The Leokino in Innsbruck presents film land Brazil's award-winning productions from 10 December 2008. The cineastic landscape of the South American country is the central focus on every second Wednesday of the month until March 2009.
Kristalline Werkstätte (Crystalline workshop) for creative 4- to 16-year olds
Young people are the Giant's favourite guests and welcome as highly appreciated explorers, visionaries and artists, even during the Winter Festival. A number of exciting programs beckon you to enjoy a trip through South America's largest country.
The Giant entertains the youngest visitors with colourful stories from Brazil. The workshops offer children aged 7 to 12 sensual experience with the landscapes and mega-cities of Brazil, its culture and its tradition. Youngsters are particularly interested in a Samba lesson by the dancer and choreograph Lécio Leal in order to score at the next party.
The glittering connecting thread winding its way through all programs, age groups and attractions is, like so much in the Crystal Worlds, woven from three components: fantasy, creativity and crystal.
