Österreich, Swarovski Kristallwelten

·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

Sven and Cornelis enter the surreal Swarovski Kristallwelten, a dream-like world of crystal art and installations in the Austrian Alps.

The episode begins with an introduction to the Swarovski Kristallwelten, founded in 1995 to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary, located in the Austrian Alps. Sven and Cornelis describe their tour through 18 'Wunderkammer' rooms, each designed by different artists, featuring installations like the world's largest crystal, a chandelier of grief in a mirror labyrinth, and multimedia displays. They note sensory overload from loud sounds, crowded spaces, and varied artistic styles, including references to Elton John and stage costumes. The hosts express personal dislike for glitter and crystals, finding them aesthetically 'cheap' and unappealing, and discuss Swarovski's history of glass-cutting and industrial production. Moving outdoors, they explore a park with a crystal cloud installation over water, a hand-shaped labyrinth, and interactive play areas, finding the alpine setting more serene. Throughout, they reference past podcast episodes and locations, such as the Salzbergwerk and other European sites. The episode concludes with reflections on contrasts in beauty, the subjective nature of aesthetics, and the role of their podcast in exploring diverse places.

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