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Gold & Mösch
Advent is a time to pause and reflect. We look forward to welcoming you to "Gold & Mösch" during the festive season and offering you an unforgettable journey into the world of art and precious metals. Discover the magic of gold and its imitations in an extraordinary variety of forms. A special sparkle that makes the Advent season at the Hof Weissbad resort unforgettable.
Gold
Gold has been used for works of art and jewelry since ancient times. The precious metal plays an important role in art history and has been valued as a valuable material by many cultures. The Egyptians used gold to make elaborate grave goods and jewelry for their pharaohs. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it for statues, temple decorations, and coins.
The use of gold in art reached its peak in the Middle Ages. In Byzantine art, icons and mosaics were decorated with gold leaf to convey an aura of divine splendor. This was also the era of goldsmithing, when magnificent reliquaries, liturgical vessels, and jewelry were crafted with fine goldwork. In the Baroque and Rococo periods, gold was frequently used in the interior decoration of palaces and churches to symbolize splendor and luxury.
Gold experienced a renaissance in the 20th century. Artists such as Gustav Klimt used gold leaf in their paintings to give them a special shine. The most famous example is Klimt's masterpiece "The Kiss." In modern times, gold continued to be used by artists as a powerful symbol. Artists such as Yves Klein and James Turrell used gold in their works to create special lighting effects and reflections. Today, gold is still used in contemporary art, both in traditional forms and in innovative techniques.
In art history, gold often symbolizes wealth, power, and spirituality. The precious metal gives works of art an aura of eternity and immortality. At the same time, the use of gold is also associated with craftsmanship and technical finesse, which evokes admiration for the skill of the artists. Overall, gold remains a fascinating and versatile element that impresses artists and viewers alike.
Mösch
Sennensattlerei describes the work of an artisan who decorates leather objects and products for farmers, alpine dairymen, and their farm animals with brass fittings—also known as "Mösch" or "Bauerngold" in the local dialect—and colorful embroidery. The craft of saddlery is a mixture of various professions such as saddler, goldsmith, chaser, and engraver, and has been practiced in the Appenzell region and Toggenburg for generations.
The ornamentation of the brass fittings is rich and imaginative, influenced by various cultures. The design language is attributed to the late Baroque period. Even today, the "Zwyfelstrick" by Johannes Weiss (1811–1893) is still used as the most important ornament for suspenders and shoe buckles. The "Zwyfelstrick" is described as an elegant knotted loop ornament influenced by the oldest decorative ornament in Inner Rhodes, the "Vierpass." The "Vierpass" is an ornament that originated in the Romanesque and Gothic periods and has been imaginatively developed. The motifs of herdsmen, cows, horses, goats, and dogs are complemented by floral elements such as roses and acorns or heart emblems, stars, and the sun.
Welcome to the exhibition
Gold in art and its imitation. The exhibition explores the diverse uses of gold in art and also presents its imitations. Among these is "Mösch," a dialect word from Appenzell Innerrhoden that refers to brass, which resembles gold in appearance. The exhibition at Hof Weissbad shows a selection of materials and art objects that illustrate the beauty and significance of gold in various artistic forms of expression. From book illumination to panel painting, from fragments of real gold frames to clever applications of brass powder, gold leaf, and imitations of coated silver leaf, the fascination with this precious metal is explored. Contemporary artworks that deal with the theme of gold and its transformation are also on display. Vera Marke presents images of alchemical experiments that transform silver and aluminum into gold—an allegory for transformation and the search for the precious metal. Verena Sieber Fuchs, on the other hand, displays fascinating objects made of gold foil that blur the boundaries between real gold and its imitation. Immerse yourself in the glittering world of gold and be inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship of the artists.
We wish you a golden Christmas and look forward to seeing you again soon. "Sönd herzlich willkomm!"