Between waterfalls, thermal springs and imagination, Bad Gastein once again transforms into one of the most compelling art destinations in the Alps. Under the title “Between Waters”, sommer.frische.kunst. 2026 explores water as a force of movement, transformation and connection.
There are places whose identity cannot be separated from their landscape. Bad Gastein is one of them.
Its iconic waterfall, thermal springs, dramatic mountain setting and distinctive blend of Alpine nature and historic architecture have shaped the character of the town for centuries.
This unique environment provides the backdrop for sommer.frische.kunst., which returns from 11 June to 30 August 2026 under the artistic direction of Andrea von Goetz. The festival’s 16th edition invites visitors to explore “Between Waters: Circulation, Reflection and Imagination” through an ambitious programme of international contemporary art.
Water as a Metaphor for Transformation
Inspired by the ancient concept of Panta Rhei — everything flows — the festival examines water not only as a natural resource but also as a cultural, political and poetic force.
Movement, circulation, memory, renewal and interconnectedness become recurring themes throughout the programme, creating a framework for artists to reflect on a world in constant transition.
Creating Art at the Waterfall
A central pillar of the festival remains its international Artist-in-Residence programme, hosted in the historic power station beside the waterfall.
Eight selected artists spend several weeks developing site-specific works inspired by Bad Gastein’s unique relationship between landscape, architecture and history.
Their projects will be unveiled during the festival’s opening weekend, transforming the town itself into an active participant in the artistic narrative.
A Weekend of Art, Architecture and Alpine Energy
The official Opening Weekend takes place from 2–5 July 2026.
The programme begins at Hotel Miramonte, where Mexican artist Claudio Limón presents a special exhibition in collaboration with the STRAAT Museum Amsterdam. His works translate the energy of the surrounding mountains into a vibrant contemporary visual language.
The following day, visitors are guided along the Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade to the Radon Pavilion, where artist Nives Widauer presents textile works inspired by rivers, currents and natural movement.
The Astoria Reimagined
One of this year’s highlights is the launch of ASTORIA curated x art:badgastein.
For a limited time, the former Grand Hotel Astoria becomes an experimental exhibition platform where thirteen international galleries and five solo artists activate historic rooms, salons and halls.
The result is a dialogue between architecture, design, art and collecting culture, bringing new life to one of Bad Gastein’s most iconic buildings.
A Place Defined by Transformation
The festival also presents works by artists including Julius von Bismarck, Mischa Leinkauf and Leonor Serrano Rivas, all of whom engage with the theme of water through distinct artistic perspectives.
Complementing the exhibitions are the poetic textile works of Holger Schmidhuber. His Bad Gastein Energies series translates impressions gathered at the waterfall into visual and literary form.
Where Landscape and Culture Meet
What distinguishes sommer.frische.kunst. is its deep connection to place.
Rather than being confined to traditional gallery spaces, the festival unfolds across hotels, historic buildings, public spaces and the surrounding landscape.
In doing so, Bad Gastein itself becomes the exhibition.
Between Belle Époque grandeur and Alpine wilderness, between water and imagination, sommer.frische.kunst. 2026 creates a powerful cultural experience that invites visitors not simply to view art, but to move through it.
