19 September 2024  Fashion.at has delved into the topic of 'Chambers of Wonder' in recent days, after two new chambers created by artist Rafael Lozano Hemmer, which will open at the Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens in Tyrol, Austria, in November this year, were announced on the occasion of the launch of the Austrian company's new 'Created Diamonds' line (article). So when Fashon.at went on an excursion to Forchtenstein Castle in Burgenland, Austria's easternmost federal state, yesterday, a guided tour of the treasure chamber, original rooms of art and wonder from the 17th century, was a must. About an hour's drive from Vienna, the castle appears on a foothill, demonstrating its qualities as a defensive fortress. The castle has never been taken. From the other side, where the ravelins testify to its military strength, a modern artwork is on view. The red double-barreled tank of the sculpture 'War and Peace' by the Swiss artist Marcus Geiger was commissioned by Esterhazy NOW, which belongs to the Esterhazy Foundations. The mission of Esterhazy NOW is to continue the cultural activities of the Esterhazy family in the field of fine arts, as presented on https://www.esterhazy-now.at/information/about-us. Burg Forchtenstein is one of the castles of the foundations. The chambers of art and wonders were once initiated by Paul I, Prince Esterházy of Galántha in 1692 (history on https://esterhazy.at/en/exhibitions/esterhazy-treasure-chamber). Today they are called 'Treasure Chamber', but the origin, the fashion of the 16th and 17th century to show the diversity and knowledge of the owners and to make others 'wonder', can't be neglected. For example, in one of the chambers hanging from the ceiling, there is the Esterhazy signature dragon, referring to the dragon that appears in the family's coat of arms. The dragon appears in the candlelight like a fantastic, terrifying looking sculpture. It is made of exotic animals like turtles, reptiles,... from all over the world. The dragon represents the prince's cosmopolitanism and knowledge of the nature of the world. The inventory of the treasure chamber was decimated after key pieces were confiscated in 1919, before the former Hungarian region of Burgenland became part of Austria in 1921. Selected pieces from the treasure chamber of Forchtenstein Castle were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2019 (article at https://burgenland.orf.at/stories/3023085/). The inventory includes items related to science and technology, such as a clockwork that shows the month and the year, or a clock with a magic lantern, a 'laterna magica', that could not only project the time on the wall of a room at night, but also images. The chambers also focus on nature, with highlights including the aforementioned dragon made from animal specimens, and art, including the applied arts for everyday objects, such as a writing set consisting of an inkwell and pen holder made from fragile materials such as fish bones or jewelry made from pearls. Walking through the rooms of the treasure chamber, time flew by, also thanks to the guide who impressed us with his profound historical knowledge. Conclusion: These treasures make you wonder! Images: Views of Forchtenstein Castle in Burgenland, Austria. The picture on the right shows Fashion.at publisher Karin Sawetz in front of the ravelin with the artwork 'War and Peace' by Marcus Geiger. |
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