The Chapel of White Light
A sacred artwork at the Pitztal Glacier
“The Chapel of White Light” built by the famous Tyrolean artist, Prof. Rudi Wach, is just a few steps away from the Mountaintop Restaurant at the Pitztaler Gletscherbahn.
The artist, who lives in Milan, created a structure here as a sculpture
which is unique throughout the Alps. The chapel was completed with 180
individual blocks of Carrara Granite, held together with a special
hardened steel construction and carried out with completely new
building technol-ogy. A diamond edged cutting blade was used for
working with the individual Carrara Granite slabs. This artwork now
towers up to 8.50 meters high in the Pitztal Glacier World, and invites
skiers as well as excursion guests for a contemplative Stop in the high
Alps. The altar carved from this same material by Prof. Wach, weighs
975 kg alone, and appears in various tones of light through the special
windowsThe sturdy door entry made of titanium adds additional significance to the overall artistic stature. Not only art and architecturally interested guests are astounded by this new highlight here, which was intentionally selected as a contrast to the natural rock of the mountain peak. In Wach’s own words, he viewed this work as the highpoint in his creative period as a sculptor, and “had to take on a creative idea to compete with the surrounding mountain peaks.”
The Chapel of White Light serves as a gem within the Tyrolean Alps.
The artist, Prof. Rudi Wach, has repeatedly caused a sensation over the past few decades with his artwork: Among them are the depiction of Christ in Innsbruck, which has repeatedly been discussed controversially as a representative place of exhibition, the White Chapel at the University of Innsbruck clinic, with water flowing through the marble ducts, and the Vienna Museum Quarter Subway Station with oversized drawings and sculptures. Wach has tracked down new design forms of the hidden strengths of body and space in numerous exhibitions in Austria, Italy and the USA, and thereby attempted to intersect spirit, art and handcraft with one another.
The chapel, built at an elevation of 2,900 meters, is certainly an exciting photo motif for excursion guests at the Pitztal Glacier.
