Exploring the Kunstwege | Vias d’art is intended to be a holistic experience. A stroll through this lively mountain village in the Upper Engadine takes in the charming old parts of the village, Engadine houses adorned with sgraffito, magnificent hotel palaces, and the wonderful surrounding mountain scenery and natural landscape.

A tour can also be an opportunity to relax on one of the many sun terraces or to take in an impressive view into the depths of the gorge from the new viewing platforms, to learn more about the flora and fauna, the traditional architecture and the history of alpinism, for example with a visit to the famous Alpin Museum or to the little church of Sta. Maria, which, with its interior adorned with magnificent frescoes, ranks among the most beautiful churches in the canton of Graubünden.

Throughout the duration of the Kunstwege | Vias d’art Pontresina exhibition, performances, readings and special exhibitions will also take place. Guided tours complement a rich programme of accompanying events. A book-length publication will also be released.

> PROGRAMME

> GUIDED TOURS AND PONTRESINA ART GUIDE

> BOOK

The exhibition title «espace public space» is intended to provide a conceptual framework that has underpinned the fundamental aim of Kunstwege | Vias d'art Pontresina from the very beginning: «Nowhere is the dialogue between art and the public as immediate as in public spaces». The artists take over the public spaces of Via Maistra: surfaces, objects, façades, roofs, niches, squares, gardens and the sky above for their installations, enriching them, reinterpreting them and bringing art into focus. The seventh Triennial in 2026 is, so to speak, the thematic headline of all seven previous exhibitions: Art aint il spazi public, Kunst im öffentlichen Raum, l'art dans l'espace public, art in public space – a reminiscence of artistic creation in the public space. The group exhibition is brought together under this title as a free artistic discourse. The artists have the greatest possible freedom in their statement, execution and interpretation, but the connection to the location remains important.

Cultural exchange with other regions is of vital importance to our remote valley. Countless artists have visited the Engadin and worked here in the past. To date, Pontresina Cultura has provided a platform for more than 80 artists from various (linguistic) regions of Switzerland. The concept fosters encounters and dialogue between artists through a collaborative project. Through engagement with contemporary works, visitors are encouraged to discover new spaces, encounters and insights. The art trails thus aim to spark a dialogue between visitors and artists, as well as amongst the artists themselves, and to foster a sense of togetherness and the discovery of new and unknown aspects within a more or less familiar setting. Locals and holidaymakers are invited to marvel, take pleasure, question and exchange ideas.

Benno Conrad, project manager and curator, Peter Käch, municipal councillor and head of the Tourism and Culture department, and Jan Melchior, from Pontresina Cultura and Pontresina Tourism, are responsible for the current exhibition.

Pontresina Cultura
The municipality of Pontresina regularly organises a variety of cultural events through its bilingual cultural committee. Over the 25 years of its existence, more than 200 events have been held. The target audiences are primarily local residents from the village and the wider region, but also holidaymakers. The events focus on art and nature, customs and language, youth culture, high-quality entertainment, literature and history. The group’s aim is to engage the local population with a broad yet high-quality range of cultural activities. It comprises seven members: Benno Conrad, Peter Käch, Jan Melchior, Fritz Röthlisberger, Kalina Sutter, Patrik Würms and Tanja Wüthrich.