BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors

Schlosspark Eybesfeld

Carefully executed art projects in a palace-garden setting

Sol LeWitt, Eybesfeld, 2006. Photo: Paul Ott
Sol LeWitt, Eybesfeld, 2006. Photo: Paul Ott
Michael Schuster, Ei, 2002. Photographer: Michael Schuster
Michael Schuster, Ei, 2002. Photographer: Michael Schuster

A castle, a garden, and an enthusiastic couple. Christine and Bertrand Conrad-Eybesfeld do not buy their art off the rack. It originates on site, sometimes in a few weeks, sometimes over a period of years. They do not consider themselves collectors or patrons, but rather artist's partners for these outdoor projects. Space is not a concern for the couple, and there is plenty of it with the location of the property in the state of Styria, in southeastern Austria.

Things started in 1989 with the artist Heimo Zobernig, who made his mark on the castle's former tennis court with a fifteen-centimeter-thick concrete plate. Sol LeWitt executed a large-scale work shortly before his death, in 2007. For the Conrad-Eybesfeld's, at least as important as the end result is being involved in the whole process, and including the local community.

Heimo Zoberning, Betonplatte, 1990. Photographer: Michael Schuster
Heimo Zoberning, Betonplatte, 1990. Photographer: Michael Schuster
Love Architects (Mark Jenewein), LOVE, 2003. Photo: Paul Ott
Love Architects (Mark Jenewein), LOVE, 2003. Photo: Paul Ott
Sol LeWitt, Eybesfeld, 2006
Sol LeWitt, Eybesfeld, 2006

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