On the Path of Wood

Ever since Georg Mühlegger was allowed to look over his grandfather's shoulder in his wood workshop as a little boy, it was clear to him that he too would dedicate his professional life to this material. A woodworking path that is something to be proud of. The result is his studio, Atelier Arti.

Kitzbühel Alps - Ways of Life | Georg Mühlegger Region Hohe Salve

The scent of fresh wood fascinates Georg Mühlegger to this day. For him, this smell radiates strength, honesty and naturalness, and that his whole life. It was clear to the Tyrolean-born sculptor early on that he would follow in his grandfather's footsteps. After graduating from the sculpture school in Elbigenalp, his first big success followed immediately, which brought Georg into all the radio and TV stations in Austria from one day to the next: "I won the sculpture competition for a monument by the American pop band New Kids on the Block. That was a groundbreaking moment." His international reputation as a sculptor was thus established early on, and in 2001 Georg finally founded his own sculpture workshop, Atelier Arti in Hopfgarten in the Brixen Valley.

The fascination of wood

"Every day I am fascinated anew by wood as a material. The fact that something that grows freely in nature can be shaped in such a way, such as a 300-year-old chest that still adorns a room in full beauty, that has something great for me." You can feel the joy of Georg's work in every move he makes: "When I drive to my business in the morning, I feel elated and I come home satisfied in the evening. You can't buy this feeling, everyone has to create this satisfaction for themselves." If you are a guest or a local in the Tyrolean mountains or on the new KAT Walk, you will see the works of Georg Mühlegger everywhere. Numerous nature playgrounds were designed by him, such as the Hexenwasser adventure park in Söll, which won the National Tourism Award in 2003, "The Alps Award" in 2013 and the Austrian Tourism Innovation Award in 2016. But special viewing spots, art installations and relaxing loungers at the edge of the paths and mountains also invite you to relax, reflect and unwind. "When I find a message in my email inbox from time to time that a hiker thanks me because the relaxation lounger on which he took a rest was so comfortable, that is the greatest reward for me. Then I get goose bumps." The most important thing for him, however, is to treat the mountain world with care: "You don't have to exaggerate. Less is sometimes more, but high-quality design is all the more important.

Time-out in the mountains and on the water

Georg Mühlegger spends his free time on his e-bike in the Tyrolean mountains or on a sailing boat by the sea. Both of these things enable the sculptor to recharge his batteries and get to work with a new zest for action: "I'm definitely not a go-getter, but the epicurean type. To be able to give, everyone has to take. I get my energy from nature. Sitting on the alpine pasture, eating good cheese, a glass of milk, that strengthens both soul and spirit."

Take time for yourself

In general, Georg is no friend of today's fast pace and digitalisation: "Working on the computer has never interested me, I'm happy if I can get by with my smartphone. This constant accessibility creates immense pressure. I think our ancestors did it better, took more time. We have grown into a spinning wheel, the wheel of which should turn more slowly, otherwise it will throw us out at some point. The body sends the warning signals ahead anyway, people have to learn to listen to it again." And maybe more often just sit down by the side of the road on a lounger or bench - made by Georg's skilled hands - take yourself off track and let your mind wander, to see beyond, and to ultimately return more refreshed - for the healthy future of one's own soul.

#Kitzbüheler Alpen | #LebenswegeTirol