Wattens Things to Do

2 more images

In another hall you can see this huge turning globe.
It's covered zith (of course !) crystal.
Thanks to the light effects it's a really nice sight.

EDIT : the exhibition in Kristallwelten is constantly changing. Slmost every year there is an added room or new artwork. Of course this means that others parts of the exhibition disappear. This is what happened to the globe. At the time of our visit in 2010, it was no longer there.

2 more images

“I’d like to create rooms that feel like music. I would like to create things, which are like music for the eyes. And I would like to spread music throughout the room – in all three dimensions, and in colour.”
Quote by Brian Eno

In this meditative room, created by Brian Eno, you can see a 'living painting', constantly changing and growing.

2 more images

As a child, Andre Heller dreamed of gians roaming the streets in Vienna. One of these giants settled in Wattens. In this room you can see some of the things the giant took with him on his jouney around the world : a ring, a walking stick, an accordeon and his gloves.

4 more images

One of the main halls in Kristallwelten is the "Crystal Theatre".
Here you can see all kinds of creatures, covered with crystal.
The room pictures fiary-taled characters, leaving everything open to your own imagination.

1 more image

Inside the crystal dome you get the feeling of being inside a crystal.
590 mirrors cover the dome's walls, creating a kaleidoscope of colours.
Light is reflected to all sides, as is your own reflection.

4 more images

When entering, you are in the entrance hall created by Andre Heller.

An eye-catcher in the middle of the room is the largest (the 'centenar' - 300.000 carats - 40 cm diamater) crystal ever made in the world. In contrast to this there is also the smallest one ever made by Swarovksi (0,8 mm diameter).

Here is the beginning of the crystal wall, which runs throughout then complex.
There is a stele created by Keith Haring, once used in the musical Aïda.
The "soft clock" is a 3D-interpretation of Dalí's work "The persistance of time".
Besides these artworks, you can see a replica of a jewel commissioned by an Indian maharadja as a tribute to his favorit horse.
Also some work by Andy Warhol ("Gems"), Niki de Saint Phalle (The “Crystal bearing Nana”), John Brekke (The "Crystal Poems") and a beauftiful chandelier by Gateano Pesce can be seen here.

3 more images

The outside area of Kristallwelten also got developed in recent years.
There is a playground for kids to enjoy.
The maze is shaped after Andre Heller's hand.
The garden with "watchtower" offers a great view of the surrounding mountains.

3 more images

Swarovski is a Girl's best friend
Kristallwelten / Crystal World in Wattens/Tirol
This kind of exhibition / museum is not really "my cup of tea" and therefore I did not go inside but I rather just had a look over the fence in order to take a photo of the famous fountain there.
There is a large carpark there for visitors of Kristallwelten, and the parking is free of charge !
In my pics 3 and 4: The Swarovski-mouse, that was one of the first works of art made by Swarovski and you can see it next to the entrance of the Kristallwelten / Crystallworld.
The production of the mouse was started in 1976 more as a joke by a technical illustrator named Max Schreck, who combined several loose crystal elements and that was the first of a long series of cute animals made by Swarovski.
A visit to Crystal World can easily be combined with a visit to Innsbruck.
For some more details about exhibits etc. please take a look at their webpage below !
--------------------------------------------
Kristallwelten is open daily from 09.00am till 06.30pm
at December 24th: 09.00am till 02.00pm
December 31st: 09.00am-04.00pm
last entry always 1 hours before closingtime !
entrancefee is 9,50 euros p.p.