Last Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 4pm was the opening of "Contemporary Antiquity". It was a great event at a very special location, castle Sargans. The ideal museum to start the theme of "Contemporary Antiquity".
The main attraction was my ART MUSTANG by ANTONIO WEHRLI which celebrated its official debut at the castle.
Nicely placed in front of the entrance gate and towards a backdrop of surrounding mountains, it welcomed guests and tourists.
While the car cannot be called antique, it's a classic oldtimer that artistically combines old and contemporary elements.
The art exhibition that will last until October 16, 2022 is in the top room of the palace building. The ceiling is made of long beams of centuries old wood, handcrafted 500+ years ago. Impressive how builders of this time managed to create those massive, long lasting structures without the help of modern day technology.
There have been some minor enhancements in recent years to secure safety to the visitors but the structure is basically the same like in the early 16th century.
In order to delve into the theme of the exhibition and to experience contemporary antiquity first hand, my family and I had traveled Germany and France prior to the exhibition opening and stayed at various castles or places rich in history.
After a stay in Augsburg, one of Germany's oldest cities and home to impressive Renaissance buildings like the Augsburger Town Hall with its Golden Hall, we went to Heidelberg, one of the most beautiful cities of Germany, where an impressive castle, mostly in ruins for centuries stands prominently above the old town.
Then we went further on our way to Le Mont Saint Michel and stayed at the Château de Villersexel, one of the most beautiful French castles of the 19th century which has preserved many details from the time when it was built.
The ceiling height on the first floor is more than six meters and that of the second floor more than five meters. What a feeling to sleep in a 50 m² room with 5+ meter high ceiling. I could get used to it...
After a two day stay at Lake Orient, we continued further to Paris.
A city full of beauty and charm. Where else can you discover intrinsic details of the most beautiful Art Nouveau architecture from 1912 while shopping your favorite brands? A perfect example of contemporary antiquity - more recent but still over 100 years old.
After two days in Paris and two days in Saint-Malo, we finally arrived at our main destination, Le Mont Saint Michel. A famous tidal island that is connected to the mainland at low tide and since 2014 with a bridge for all time access.
A truly mystical place. Impressive buildings and huge halls built one on top of the other: an architectural masterpiece.
We finished our France trip with further castle visits and an interesting stay at the Château des Bordes in Urzy, the final stage of our adventure into the past.
I feel ready to work further on the theme of contemporary antiquity. It's everywhere but mostly we don't even notice it.
All the best,
Turn your life colorful!
Antonio
