Ski Jumping and Climbing Legends Leap for Art at Innsbruck Bergisel

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championship 2019 brought Ski-Jumping stars and enthusiasts back to Innsbruck Bergisel and the nearby town of Seefeld. Among them were Polish ski-jumping legend Adam Malysz and Austrian bouldering champion Anna Stöhr who participated in an art event directed by artist Stephan Pirker right in front of the Tirol Panorama Museum at Bergisel.

Creating Art through Ski Jumping

Let’s start with the art project. “Jumping Printing” is a series of works made under the direction of artist Stephan Pirker, who is based in Innsbruck. Many of his works combine built objects and performances. He loves ski-jumping so much, that he actually went to Finland to learn how to do it properly, and it became a key element in his work.

A previous work from the “Jumping Printing” series, made by Claudia Czimek © Ichia Wu

“Jumping Printing” takes the art form of Happening. Spontaneity is the most distinct character of happenings, but the making of the works is actually highly orchestrated. As we saw in this event, there were several fellow artists in charge of different tasks, so that this happening happened smoothly.

Art is powered by artists. © Ichia Wu

Bergisel: The Perfect Location

The Bergisel hill in Innsbruck is dual-cored: The Olympic Ski Jump Stadium and the Tirol Panorama are both gems not to be missed if you visit Innsbruck.

The event took place under the projecting roof of the Tirol Panorama, and the “ski-artists” were facing Imperial Infantry Museum (Kaiserjägermuseum). Both are part of the Tyrolean State Museums (Tiroler Landesmuseen).

The Kaiserjägermuseum was opened in 1880. © Ichia Wu

The weather was not fantastic, as it turned out. However, there were many colourful props at hand and we were all looking forward to the unusual event.

There were props and decorations next to the entrances of the Tirol Panorama and Restaurant 1809. © Ichia Wu

The Stars Have Arrived!

The eagerly-awaited arrival of Polish ski-jumping legend Adam Malysz got us all excited! He is the owner of so many Winter Olympic and World Championship medals, and Innsbruck is one of the cities where he enjoyed victory.

Adam Malysz chatted with some lucky fans from Poland before the art event started. © Ichia Wu

Painting on the skies, putting on ski boots and getting ready for the take-off © Ichia Wu

The skis were only attached to his boots by the assistants after Malysz was lifted off ground.

Serious now! This is not for the faint-hearted! © Ichia Wu

It all happened so quickly! © Ichia Wu

An artist of ski-jumping indeed! © Ichia Wu

Holding his certificate (issued by the artist), Adam chatted with Austrian bouldering champion Anna Stöhr, who was going to be the next ski-artist. She is Tyrolean and has won four Bouldering World Cups and two World Championships between 2007 and 2013!

The meeting of champions © Ichia Wu

Anna Stöhr put several layers of paint on the skies. © Ichia Wu

So much suspension – but no problem against gravity! © Ichia Wu

10/10! © Ichia Wu

Innsbruck City councillor Franz Gruber and Director Karin Seiler-Lall from Innsbruck Tourismus also collaborated with the artist. © Ichia Wu

Exhibition “Legendary Ski-Jumping Art” at the Tirol Panorama

The exhibition of the “Jumping Printing” works is held inside the Tirol Panorama and runs till 5 March 2019. The funds raised from selling the artworks will go to the acclaimed ski school in Stams, Tyrol.

Inside the Tirol Panorama © Ichia Wu

There are also many ski/snow-related objects on permanent display in the Tirol Panorama Museum, in addition to the impressive panoramic painting depicting the Tyrolean Rebellion of 1809.

Inside the Tirol Panorama © Ichia Wu

Inside the Tirol Panorama © Ichia Wu